Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced After Carrying Out Dangerous Unregistered Work

A man who continued to offer gas services after leaving the Gas Safe Register pleaded guilty to multiple breaches and received a suspended sentence. The case highlights the risks of unregistered gas work and the need for businesses and consumers to verify engineer registration to manage safety and regulatory risk.

An illegal gas fitter from Fenham who advertised services on social media and used flyers showing the Gas Safe logo has been sentenced after carrying out unsafe work at five homes in the North East. Alexander Robson pleaded guilty to ten breaches under the Gas Safe Installation and Use Regulations 1999 for work carried out between June and September 2024 in Blyth, Ryton, Hexham, Winlaton and Newcastle. He had previously been on the Gas Safe Register until 1 February 2024 but continued trading under names including GasnHeat Plumberz and North East Renocationz. On 14 July 2026 at South Tyneside Magistrates Court he was given eight months imprisonment suspended for two years, ordered to complete a six month mental health treatment requirement and 30 days of rehabilitation activity, and to pay compensation and prosecution costs.

The Health and Safety Executive investigation found the work was illegal and substandard and put occupants at risk, with one property described as having life endangering defects. Unregistered and unqualified gas work can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. HSE inspectors reported that the operator used social media and fake Gas Safe branding to solicit work, and warned that all gas work must be carried out by engineers on the Gas Safe Register.

For employers, contractors and consumers the case underlines the importance of checking that anyone doing gas work is currently registered and competent. Businesses should ensure records of registration are maintained and visible when engineers are engaged and that staff do not continue to provide gas services after registration lapses. Consumers should ask to see an engineer identification card and confirm the registration number on the Gas Safe Register before any gas work proceeds. The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyers with paralegal support, demonstrating active regulatory enforcement where unsafe unregistered practice is identified.

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