An unregistered gas installer has been sentenced after carrying out illegal gas work at two houses in Cheshire.
The work was undertaken on several occasions between 2021 and 2023, resulting in a gas leak inside one of the properties, leaving one of the homeowners without a working appliance for an extended period.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was alerted to Mr Williams 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 installer 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.
Members of the public are reminded that all gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses legally permitted to work on gas appliances in the UK. Anyone can check whether an engineer is registered by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk or calling 0800 408 5500.
Carrying out gas work without registration is illegal and potentially dangerous, as unqualified work can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
The sentencing hearing for Scott Anthony Williams was at Chester Magistrates’ Court on the 24 October 2025. Scott Anthony Williams of Galbraith Close, Congleton, pleaded guilty to seven separate breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, requiring 240 hours of unpaid work. Costs of £2,000 were awarded along with a victim surcharge of £144.
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.”
Gas engineers and consumers can contact the Gas Safe Register in any of these ways:
- Website: Gas Safe Register
- Phone – Consumers: 0800 408 5500; Engineers: 0800 408 5577
- Email – enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk
This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White and paralegal officer Sarah Thomas. The investigation was supported by Sarah Ough and Natalka Heath, HSE Visiting Officers.
Further information:
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
- Guidance is available: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Relevant guidance can be found at Managing risks and risk assessment at work – HSE.
- Further details on the latest HSE news releases are available at press.hse.gov.uk.
- HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.