Adobe StockA cowboy gasman who repeatedly fitted dangerous boilers has avoided jail.
Syed Hussain, 43, was removed from the Gas Safe Register in April 2019 after he failed to “demonstrate necessary competency”.
The qualified plumber, however, continued to take up work until February 2024.
His installations were deemed as “immediately dangerous” and he ignored pleas to stop from officials.
Hussain also used the identification of another man in order to keep working.
The first offender pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to three charges contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act.
He also admitted culpably and recklessly installing gas boilers and pipe work which were in a dangerous and defective condition.
Sheriff Iain Fleming ordered Hussain to do 250 hours of unpaid work and tagged him for 12 months keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.
The sheriff told him: “Your behaviour was disgraceful – you were turned back and it seems to be entirely proper due to the way you carried out work at various addresses.
“The only issue is whether I can deal with this case without custody.
“I am just persuaded having regard to the sentencing guidelines and what has been said before me today.
“You have a lack of previous convictions and you require to be the carer for your four children.
“This is a direct alternative to custody.”
The court earlier heard that Hussain’s first offence occurred in May 2019 at a property in Glasgow’s Battlefield.
Hussain was paid by bank transfer to remove an old gas boiler and have a new one installed.
The homeowner was unhappy with the work carried out and tried to contact Hussain but received no response.
A gas inspector visited the property and deemed the installation of the boiler as “dangerous”.
The inspector identified six defects to the gas supply and 14 defects on the boiler.
Hussain was hired to do another job in Edinburgh – trading under the name “Tony” or “Mr Plumber” on Gumtree.
The homeowner was “unhappy” with the work done by Hussain and reported leaks in the system.
Another gas installer was hired to make the system safe and a complaint was made to the Gas Safe Register.
Seven defects were found to the gas supply and eight were discovered on the boiler.
The court heard of five further similar instances of botched work by Hussain.
These took place at properties in Glasgow as well as Carluke, Lanarkshire all of which took place between May 2019 and February 2024.
Prosecutor Richard Brown stated that inspectors deemed Hussain’s work as “immediately dangerous.”
In one of the incidents, Hussain presented a gas safe registration number which belonged to a Zahid Hussain.
The hearing was told there were previous occasions in which Hussain was informed that he was “prohibited” from working but continued to do so.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) delivered letters to explain that he should not undertake further gas work.
Hussain explained that he “understood” and was in the process of re-registering.
Ian McCarthy, defending, told the sentencing that his client “recognises these are very serious matters.”
The lawyer added: “He said he faced a number of difficulties moving to Scotland – maintaining employment and family life.
“He knows that these issues do not excuse his behaviour.
“He has shown a high level of remorse and is not making excuses here.”
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