South Cumbrian Man’s Illegal Gas Work Put Family’s Lives at Risk

A 38‑year‑old man from South Cumbria has been sentenced after carrying out unauthorised and unsafe gas installation work that endangered a family’s safety in Ulverston.
Lee Lancaster, of New Market, installed a gas combi boiler and associated pipework at a home in the town in February 2024, despite having no gas‑safety qualifications or registration on the official Gas Safe Register. Shortly after the work was completed, residents smelled gas near the meter box and contacted utility engineers who found three separate gas leaks.
The gas supply had to be shut off for six weeks, leaving the family of four without heating or hot water. The case was referred to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which determined the installation was immediately dangerous and in breach of safety regulations designed to protect the public.
Lancaster admitted breaking the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. At Barrow Magistrates’ Court on January 23, he was handed a 12‑month community order, instructed to do 200 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.
An HSE inspector stressed that unqualified gas work can lead to fatal gas leaks or explosions and reminded the public that only Gas Safe registered engineers should carry out such jobs.