A builder was given a community payback sentence after carrying out unlicensed asbestos removal work at a house in Cheadle, Manchester, in September 2022.
Gavin Mutch, trading as G Mutch Developments, had been contracted to deliver renovations at the property, including roofing work.
Despite being warned by his client that asbestos was potentially present in the fascia boards, Mutch removed the asbestos-containing materials.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Mutch had carried out unlicensed, and therefore illegal, asbestos removal work.
This type of work can only be undertaken by a licensed asbestos contractor with appropriate safety controls in place.
Mutch, of Cheadle Hulme, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Manchester Magistrates Court on 8 April 2025.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.
HSE inspector David Norton said: “This case demonstrates why our Asbestos and You campaign is so vital. 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. Licensed work requires specific training, equipment and practices to ensure safety.”
