Weeping gas fitter whose negligence proved fatal jailed

Andrew Hartley, 37, fitted the new boiler into Zoe Anderson’s Bath home less than two weeks before she was overcome by gas fumes.

He was handed a three-year prison sentence yesterday after being told it was “simply the price he must pay”.

Judge Neil Ford QC said there were “absolutely no malicious or hostile intentions in this case” but the loss to Miss Anderson’s family was “profound”.

A jury at Bristol Crown Court found Hartley guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence by a majority of 10 to two following a two-week trial last month.

Hartley, of Bath New Road, Radstock, Somerset, had admitted a charge of breaching gas safety regulations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by failing to secure the boiler flue pipe with screws but denied gross negligence.

Miss Anderson, 24, the daughter of magazine tycoon Chris Anderson, was found dead by her boyfriend in the shower room of her father’s home in Sion Hill on December 29 2010.

At first it was thought the neuroscience graduate had slipped and banged her head, but later it was found she had died from carbon monoxide poisoning after fumes leaked from the flue pipe connected to the boiler in the garage of the Victorian townhouse.

Hartley – who has had 20-year unblemished career – had told the jury when he left Mr Anderson’s home the Worcester boiler was working properly and he had fully tested it.

As the judge read out the gas fitter’s sentence Hartley wiped tears from his eyes and his face reddened.

Judge Ford said his failure to connect the flue correctly was “below your normal high standards”.

“You were qualified, your record of work in the field was long and good. You are a wholly respectable man,” he added. “Your sense of guilt can properly be characterised as overwhelming.