An Invercargill man was convicted and fined $3000 after he illegally worked as a plumber and drainlayer.
George West pleaded guilty in the Invercargill District Court earlier this month for completing illegal plumbing and drainlaying work on his elderly neighbour’s property in August, after falsely leading them to believe he was licensed to do the work.
West was convicted, discharged and fined $3000 reparation.
He was engaged by his neighbours to install a hot and cold water feed and foul water pipe work for a washing machine, and drainage pipe work for a caravan.
He last held an exemption authorisation for drain laying in 2011, which was valid for less than one month. He also held exemption authorisations for plumbing and drain laying for less than a year from 2004-05.
The exemption authorisations required him to work under supervision.
When a Southland District Council inspector attended the property for an unrelated matter, they identified the work as being restricted. The homeowner advised the inspector that West had carried out the work.
Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board chief executive Aleyna Hall said the leaking waste pipe had the potential to compromise both the health of the homeowners and the integrity of their property.
Ms Hall encouraged homeowners to search the public register for a licensed practitioner in their area, or to check on someone’s qualifications before work is done. — APL
