South London’s Israel Jackson Jailed for Croydon Gas Fitting Danger

Key Points

• Israel Jackson, 56, from Sandbach Place, London, was jailed for 12 months at Croydon Crown Court on 4 February 2026 for illegal and dangerous gas work.​
• He installed a boiler at a 90-year-old man’s home in Croydon in May 2022 without Gas Safe registration or qualifications, issuing a fraudulent gas safety certificate using a GSR licence number.
• Jackson, a sole trader, falsely claimed to be a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer despite a prior HSE conviction in 2015 for the same offence and never being registered.
• Relatives of the pensioner noticed a gas smell and lack of hot water; a British Gas engineer issued an ‘immediately dangerous notice’.​
• Jackson ignored the notice, returned the next day demanding taxi fare payment, and reactivated the boiler.
• The hazard persisted until June 2023 when a BT Heating and Property engineer issued another ‘immediately dangerous notice’ and replaced the boiler.​
• Gas Safe Register inspectors confirmed Jackson was unregistered; HSE investigation revealed his ongoing illegal work.
• U-Works Services Ltd, which contracted Jackson, failed to verify his registration and received an HSE immediate prohibition notice.​
• Jackson pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 3(3) and 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
• HSE Inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn stated Jackson disregarded the law, endangering a vulnerable person.

Croydon (South London Now) February 6, 2026 – A 56-year-old man from South London has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for performing illegal and hazardous gas work that endangered a 90-year-old resident, as part of an ongoing crackdown on unregistered engineers.​

Who is Israel Jackson and What Did He Do?

Israel Jackson, 56, of Sandbach Place, London, acted as a sole trader posing as a qualified gas engineer. As reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in their official press release, Jackson was sent by a contracted company to install a new boiler at the Croydon home of a 90-year-old man in May 2022, despite lacking any Gas Safe registration or competence.

He installed the boiler and pipework incorrectly, then provided a fraudulent gas safety certificate bearing a Gas Safe Register (GSR) licence number, falsely assuring the homeowner of safety. London Now detailed how Jackson had never been registered with GSR, confirming his deception through their coverage.​

This was not Jackson’s first brush with the law. HSE records show he was previously prosecuted in 2015 for identical illegal gas work, yet he continued operating without qualifications. The Evening Standard reported that Jackson lied to U-Works Services Ltd about his credentials, leading them to dispatch him without checks.

What Risks Did the Faulty Installation Pose?

Unqualified gas work like Jackson’s can result in gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning, as emphasised in the HSE press release. In this instance, the pensioner’s relatives detected a gas odour and no hot water supply shortly after installation, prompting urgent concerns.​

A British Gas engineer inspected the property and issued an ‘immediately dangerous notice’ due to the severe hazards. Despite this, as per HSE Inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn’s account in the official statement, Jackson returned the following day, demanded reimbursement for his taxi fare, ignored the notice entirely, and recommissioned the faulty boiler, prolonging the danger.

The Evening Standard echoed this, noting Jackson’s multiple return visits for so-called repairs, all while disregarding professional warnings. The unresolved issue persisted for over a year until June 2023, when a BT Heating and Property engineer issued a second ‘immediately dangerous notice’ and fully replaced the boiler.

How Was Jackson’s Fraud Uncovered?

Gas Safe Register inspectors visited the property post-complaint and verified Jackson was not registered at the time of the May 2022 installation, nor had he ever been, according to the HSE investigation detailed in their release. Investigators, including HM Inspectors Gordon Carson and Lucy Ellison-Dunn, uncovered his pattern of illegal activity since the 2015 conviction.​

London Now highlighted the pensioner’s vulnerability, with relatives raising the alarm that triggered the chain of events. The HSE probe also examined the fraudulent certificate, linking it directly to Jackson’s misuse of a GSR number. Yahoo UK News, drawing from HSE sources, confirmed GSR’s role in exposing the fake credentials during their site inspection.

Prosecution was handled by HSE lawyer Rebecca Schwartz and paralegal Melissa Wardle, culminating in Jackson’s guilty plea.​

What Happened to U-Works Services Ltd?

U-Works Services Ltd contracted Jackson after he assured them of his qualifications, but failed to verify his GSR status, breaching legal requirements. The HSE served the company with an immediate prohibition notice, halting their gas-related operations until compliance, as stated in the official press release.

The Evening Standard reported the company’s admission that Jackson had misrepresented himself, underscoring their due diligence failure. HSE stresses that gas work must only be undertaken by registered engineers, a point reiterated across all coverage.​

What Was the Court Outcome?

At Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, Israel Jackson pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) and 3(7) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He received a 12-month custodial sentence, reflecting the gravity of endangering a vulnerable elderly man.​

London Now confirmed the sentencing details, noting Jackson’s prior record influenced the severity. The HSE clarified they do not set sentences but adhere to guidelines for health and safety offences.​

What Did HSE Inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn Say?

HSE Inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn provided a detailed statement in the HSE press release:

“Israel Jackson did not think that the law applied to him. Despite a previous conviction for the same offence, he continued to carry out gas work, and in this case, putting the life of a vulnerable man at risk. He fraudulently told people he was a registered gas engineer, despite not having the competence to install the boiler and pipework correctly.”​

She further added:

“Customers rightly expect that employers will carry out the proper checks on those they contract to complete work. It is quick and easy to do this with the Gas Safe Register. I would ask all members of the public to verify an engineer’s registration online.”

The Evening Standard quoted her similarly, emphasising employer responsibilities.

Why Is Gas Safe Registration Essential?

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 mandate that all gas work be performed by GSR-registered engineers holding relevant qualifications. HSE’s release warns of lethal risks from unqualified installations, urging public verification via www.gassaferegister.co.uk or 0800 408 5500.​

London Now and HSE both stress this is illegal and dangerous, with Jackson’s case exemplifying the consequences. The Evening Standard reinforced that simple checks prevent such incidents.

What Is Jackson’s Background in Illegal Gas Work?

Jackson’s 2015 HSE prosecution marked his first known offence, yet he evaded registration thereafter. The current investigation revealed continuous breaches, as per GSR and HSE findings. No additional convictions were detailed beyond these, but his persistence post-2015 was central to the case.

How Can Homeowners Avoid Similar Risks?

Always confirm an engineer’s GSR status online or by phone before work begins, as advised by HSE Inspector Lucy Ellison-Dunn. Report suspicions to GSR or HSE promptly. Employers must verify contractors rigorously to avoid prohibition notices like U-Works Services Ltd.

This case, covered extensively by London Now, HSE, Evening Standard, and Yahoo UK, serves as a stark reminder of gas safety protocols in South London and beyond.