A Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Gavin Mutch, trading as G Mutch Developments, had improperly removed asbestos materials while contracted to renovate a property.

Though warned by the customer of asbestos in the fascia boards, Mutch proceeded removing these materials without being properly licensed and the appropriate controls in place.

As a result of this illegal work at a Cheadle, Manchester site in September 2022, Mutch pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates Court to breaching regulations on the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

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He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

“At HSE, we want to raise awareness across the industry about the importance of having suitable control measures in place when working with asbestos-containing materials,” said HSE inspector David Norton, referring to the regulator’s ‘Asbestos and You’ campaign.

“Licensed work requires specific training, equipment and practices to ensure safety.”

The prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Samantha Crockett and paralegal officer Rebecca Withell.