- Bradley Willis-Chambers carried out gas work at two properties despite not being registered with Gas Safe
- Dangerous defects found at both properties and one home without hot water for an extended period
- Rogue trader had previously faced HSE enforcement for illegal gas work in 2012 and was later struck off the Gas Safe register in 2016
An unregistered gas fitter has been sentenced after carrying out illegal gas work at two houses in Hampshire, leaving the properties in a condition that could have endangered lives.
Bradley Willis-Chambers, 47, removed boilers at homes in Southsea and Tipner between 2021 and 2022, leaving a single parent with a young daughter without a working hot water appliance for an extended period, while a young couple in their first home were left facing costly repairs.
Following the removal of the old boilers and installation of new ones at both properties, concerns were raised with the Gas Safe Register about the installations and non-working parts.
An HSE investigation found that Bradley Willis-Chambers was unregistered – making the work illegal – and had previously faced HSE enforcement action in 2012 for carrying out illegal, unregistered gas work. Although he later became a member of the Gas Safe Register, he was struck off in 2016 due to a failure to demonstrate competence, rectify defects and comply with registration rules. He had not been registered to undertake any gas work since 25 May 2016.
The property owners described the effects of the illegal gas work as being “misled at every stage”. They said the whole experience was “an ordeal” which “impacted not just… personal life, but also … work and relationships”, leaving them in an unfinished home and “still working to manage the debt” incurred, with the “emotional and financial toll” affecting them every day.
Alongside the HSE investigation, a Portsmouth City Council Trading Standards investigation found Bradley Willis-Chambers guilty of fraudulent trading against four victims during the same period. He is now subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order. Details can be found on the Portsmouth City Council website.
Carrying out gas work without registration is illegal and can have fatal consequences; unqualified work can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Members of the public should always check those carried out work on the Gas Safe register – anyone can check whether an engineer is registered by visiting www.gassaferegister.co.uk or calling 0800 408 5500.
HSE Inspector Francesca Arnold said:
“Bradley Willis-Chambers carried out illegal and dangerous gas work which he knew he was not registered to do.
“His failures could have led to catastrophic and tragic consequences for the homeowners, putting the lives of the homeowners and their children 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 – it only takes a few minutes to check and could prevent disaster.”
Bradley Willis-Chambers, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty on the morning of trial to four counts of breaching Regulation 3(3) and Regulation 5(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court and was committed for sentence to Portsmouth Crown Court.
Finding there had been a “flagrant disregard for the law”, on 23 July 2026, His Honour Judge Newton-Price KC sentenced him to eighteen months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and imposed a requirement to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £600 compensation to each of the victims in this case, along with the victim surcharge.
Bradley Willis-Chambers is currently prohibited by HSE from undertaking gas work without being registered.
Gas engineers and consumers can contact the Gas Safe Register in any of these ways:
Gas Safe Register Phone – Consumers: 0800 408 5500; Engineers: 0800 408 5577 Email – [email protected]
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a rogue trader incident, or you suspect a business has broken the law or acted unfairly, you can report this to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133, or report fraud at 0300 123 2040.
This prosecution was brought by HSE Senior Enforcement Lawyer Jon Mack, enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds and paralegal officer Helen Jacob. The investigation was supported by David Wilcox, HSE Visiting Officer, and Muriel Woolford, HSE Gas Safety Officer.
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.
- More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
- Further details on the latest HSE news releases is available.
- Relevant guidance can be found here: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) as amended. Approved Code of Practice and guidance – HSE
- 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.