![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
Reduced sentence served by builder who deceived
A builder who lied about his qualifications and left work unfinished has been freed on appeal. The 18 month prison sentence imposed on Martin Gumbrell, 53, in November 2008 for obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception has been reduced to 6 months on appeal.
Appeal Court Judge Sir Anthony May said Mr Gumbrell, of Bournemouth, had “learned his lesson” and had an “immaculate” previous record. He had ”bitten off more than he could chew” in accepting two ambitious projects and pretended he was competent for a task for which he “lacked the necessary expertise”.
Comment: Competence in respect of health and safety requirements is a key requirement of CDM 2007 Regulations and HSE has made it clear that competence will be one of the key priorities in the coming months.