Wokingham

An electrical engineer operating as a sole trader under the name “CTS Contracts” has been successfully prosecuted by Wokingham District Council for breaches of building regulations. On Wednesday February 1, 2006, Mr Stephen Mitchell of Micheldever Way, Bracknell, pleaded guilty by way of letter at Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court on two counts:

1. Failure to make reasonable provision in the design, installation, inspection and testing of an electrical installation in order to protect persons from fire or injury.

2. Failure to notify the local authority of a commencement of work.

Mr Mitchell performed an electrical installation to a house in Greenwood Road, Crowthorne. The installation needed certification by an accredited person, or inspection by the local authority, under current building regulations. Mr Mitchell was not accredited to certify the work himself, and did not notify Wokingham council that inspection was needed.

Furthermore, after inspection of the installation by a qualified NICEIC inspector, it was discovered that the installation was not carried out to the required standard. The test certificate provided for the work by Mr Mitchell was incorrect. Tests by the qualified inspector proved Mr Mitchell’s figures to be inaccurate.

Mr Mitchell was fined £2,800 for count one and £670 for count two, with £500 costs awarded to Wokingham District Council. The court took into account Mr Mitchell’s co-operation with the local authority and his early guilty plea. However, in sentencing the court said that the punishment would be high to indicate the level of risk that householders had faced because of his lack of competency.

Principal building control surveyor Gary Marlow said: “Building regulations are there for a reason – to keep the public safe. The council will take action when necessary to protect the district’s residents.”

Wokingham District Council