Builder who poisoned client jailed for 3.5 years

A builder found guilty of accidentally poisoning a client has been sentenced to three and a half years in jail.

David Paul Johnson, 56 of Ipswich, boss of Merlin Building and Roofing Contractors in Whittlesey, accidentally blocked a flue leading to a gas boiler, by allowing mortar to drop into a chimney he was rebuilding, at the Peterborough home of mechanic Robert Schenker in March 2006.

Norwich Crown Court heard when the mortar solidified, carbon monoxide could not escape into the atmosphere and leaked into the mechanic’s home, killing Schenker.

Johnson was found guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter and health and safety offences last month and sentenced today.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Paul Hoskins said Johnson had shown an “appalling” lack of basic health and safety standards.

He said: “Robert Schenker's tragic and wasteful death could and should have been avoided by Mr Johnson taking straightforward safety precautions.

“Everyone involved in this case was appalled by the poor workmanship and failure to carry out even the most basic checks to ensure the correct operation of the flue, which directly led to the fatal incident.

“There are many myths regarding health and safety. Carbon Monoxide is not one of them."