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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Fitter's term 'not long enough' | Fitter's term 'not long enough' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The son of a man who died from carbon monoxide poisoning has said the three-year jail term handed to the gas fitter responsible was "not long enough". | |
| Margaret Eileen Powell, 72, and Thomas Gwyn Morgan, 74, were found dead at Mrs Powell's home in Brecon, Powys. | Margaret Eileen Powell, 72, and Thomas Gwyn Morgan, 74, were found dead at Mrs Powell's home in Brecon, Powys. |
| Peter Tongue, 60, of Llanspyddid, near Brecon, Powys, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court after being convicted of their manslaughter earlier this month. | Peter Tongue, 60, of Llanspyddid, near Brecon, Powys, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court after being convicted of their manslaughter earlier this month. |
| Outside court, Mr Powell's son Jeremy condemned the sentence. | Outside court, Mr Powell's son Jeremy condemned the sentence. |
| Jeremy Morgan, 41, said: "I am not looking for revenge. But three years for two lives? Of course it's not enough." | Jeremy Morgan, 41, said: "I am not looking for revenge. But three years for two lives? Of course it's not enough." |
| The two pensioners were found dead slumped on the sofa at Mrs Powell's home in Brecon in December 2006. | The two pensioners were found dead slumped on the sofa at Mrs Powell's home in Brecon in December 2006. |
| "The sentences passed today in this case are not at all intended to be a reflection of the value of any life, no sentence, however severe, could do that Judge Mr Justice Lloyd Jones | "The sentences passed today in this case are not at all intended to be a reflection of the value of any life, no sentence, however severe, could do that Judge Mr Justice Lloyd Jones |
| Mr Morgan, a friend from Port Talbot, had been visiting Mrs Powell at the time. | Mr Morgan, a friend from Port Talbot, had been visiting Mrs Powell at the time. |
| Self-employed gas engineer Tongue had called to service her gas boiler 12 days before and had inadvertently left it in a lethal condition. | Self-employed gas engineer Tongue had called to service her gas boiler 12 days before and had inadvertently left it in a lethal condition. |
| A Cardiff Crown Court jury heard previously that despite being a Corgi-accredited engineer, Tongue's registration for that type of boiler had lapsed three years before. | A Cardiff Crown Court jury heard previously that despite being a Corgi-accredited engineer, Tongue's registration for that type of boiler had lapsed three years before. |
| Tongue was also convicted of six offences under the Health and Safety Act in relation to work carried out at the homes of other people. | Tongue was also convicted of six offences under the Health and Safety Act in relation to work carried out at the homes of other people. |
| Passing sentence, the judge Mr Justice Lloyd Jones told Tongue his work had been "lamentably inadequate, falling so far below the competence expected of a gas engineer as to be grossly negligent". | Passing sentence, the judge Mr Justice Lloyd Jones told Tongue his work had been "lamentably inadequate, falling so far below the competence expected of a gas engineer as to be grossly negligent". |
| Thomas Gwyn Morgan and Margaret Powell were found dead in her home | Thomas Gwyn Morgan and Margaret Powell were found dead in her home |
| He said Tongue's actions had caused the tragic and avoidable deaths of two people. | He said Tongue's actions had caused the tragic and avoidable deaths of two people. |
| After the father-of-three was taken away, the judge spoke publicly to the families of both victims. | After the father-of-three was taken away, the judge spoke publicly to the families of both victims. |
| "I realise that you have been devastated by this appalling tragedy and that these prolonged proceedings have been a further ordeal for you," he said. | "I realise that you have been devastated by this appalling tragedy and that these prolonged proceedings have been a further ordeal for you," he said. |
| "The sentences passed today in this case are not at all intended to be a reflection of the value of any life, no sentence, however severe, could do that." | "The sentences passed today in this case are not at all intended to be a reflection of the value of any life, no sentence, however severe, could do that." |
| He added: "But it may be that the conclusion of this trial will bring a measure of closure." | He added: "But it may be that the conclusion of this trial will bring a measure of closure." |
| Accreditation | Accreditation |
| After the sentence, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a warning that anyone working on gas appliances and systems without having their competence assessed are acting illegally and dangerously. | After the sentence, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a warning that anyone working on gas appliances and systems without having their competence assessed are acting illegally and dangerously. |
| HSE inspector Hugh Emment said: "This tragic case demonstrates why it is essential that gas engineers only work on appliances where their competence has been assessed and that they are on the Gas Safe Register. | HSE inspector Hugh Emment said: "This tragic case demonstrates why it is essential that gas engineers only work on appliances where their competence has been assessed and that they are on the Gas Safe Register. |
| "Peter Tongue worked on Mrs Powell's gas central heating system but his accreditation to work on that particular system had lapsed three years previously. | "Peter Tongue worked on Mrs Powell's gas central heating system but his accreditation to work on that particular system had lapsed three years previously. |
| "As a result, his knowledge of the system was not up to date." | "As a result, his knowledge of the system was not up to date." |