An unregistered gas installer from Congleton has been sentenced.

Scott Anthony Williams has been handed a 12-month community order, requiring him to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work.

It comes after he pleaded guilty to seven breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

These breaches relate to illegal gas work he carried out at two houses in Cheshire between 2021 and 2023.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Nicola Willcox said: "This was a deliberate breach of gas safety legislation that put people at risk.

"All gas work must be undertaken by Gas Safe registered engineers.

"The public should always ask to see the gas engineer's identification and check the registration number online to ensure it is valid."

Williams' work resulted in a gas leak in one of the properties (Credit: Canva)

The court heard how Williams' work resulted in a gas leak inside one of the properties, leaving one of the homeowners without a working appliance for an extended period.

The HSE was alerted by the Gas Safe Register following an inspection of the work carried out at one of the properties, which identified an installation was at risk.

It soon became clear that the Williams had also carried out work at another property, and that he had issued a Gas Safety Certificate using a false registration number.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require those undertaking gas work to be Gas Safe registered and hold the relevant qualifications to demonstrate their competence.

It is an offence under these regulations to falsely claim to be a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Williams, of Galbraith Close in Congleton, was sentenced at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, October 24.

Alongside the community order, Williams was made to pay costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £144.