Torbay Council and the Health and Safety Executive have both separately successfully prosecuted a building contractor and their appointed gas engineer for a number of offences, including the misleading a customer over the fitting of a gas boiler and wood burning stove.

The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted the gas engineer for not being gas registered and the company for instructing an unregistered gas engineer to do the work, last year.

The Trading Standards team at Torbay Council have now prosecuted 1st Maintenance Ltd for installing a wood burning stove incorrectly and which was not fit for purpose

The court awarded £1,445 compensation to the complainant, £350 legal fees, £1,500 fine, and £120 victim surcharge.

A significant amount of money had been spent by their customer which not only resulted in very poor service, but also the condemning of the wood burning stove that had been installed. The bottom of the chimney was not sealed and this may have allowed debris and flue gases containing carbon monoxide into the lounge. A carbon monoxide alarm had also not been provided or fitted.

Councillor Terry Manning, Executive Lead for Environment said: “We get lots of complaints about poor building companies not doing what they said they would do. This leads to poor workmanship and often dangerous installations. Our officers take a tough approach regarding these sorts of offences. Where evidence is presented to us, and it is believed fair to do so, we will look to prosecute these types of operators who appear to care little for their customers

“These companies should be avoided as they pray on the vulnerable. To ensure you find a reputable company to carry out any work around you house use the Buy with Confidence list. This list is of Trading Standards approved businesses and can be found at  Find an approved trader or business  Opens in a new window False.”

If you suspect illegal trading of services or products, please get in touch with the Torbay Trading Standards Team by calling 08454 040506.