A PLUMBER who installed an unsafe central heating system was ordered to pay £3,500 compensation to an elderly couple yesterday.

Kenny Beer, 28, from Hambleton Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to three charges at Northallerton Magistrates' Court.

He admitted failing to display a business address on documentation, making false statements about work to fix a leaking pipe and installing an unsafe central heating system.

Fred Nuttall, 92, and his wife May, 90, from Thirsk, paid him £3,000 for the work, but had to pay another company £3,800 to fix the mistakes.

The couple were told that a water leak was caused by pipes under the floor. In fact, there were no pipes and the leak was caused by the washing machine.

The central heating system was put in between June and August last year. A pressure relief valve was incorrectly installed and could have discharged water at a temperature of between 90C and 100C directly into the kitchen. Electrical wiring had also not been earthed.

In mitigation, Beer said the work was carried out by a sub- contractor he had used before and had previously been reliable.

Magistrates said he had undoubtedly caused the couple distress and anxiety.

They fined him a total of £3,000 and ordered him to pay £3,500 compensation, plus £900 court costs.

Trading standards officials were called in by the couple's daughter, Elizabeth Jackson, 65.

She said: "My parents trusted him and I trusted him. It is important that it has been brought to the attention of the authorities so he doesn't do it again."