Prosecution - EWRB v Ian Leslie Johnston
Mr Ian Leslie Johnston was sentenced in the New Plymouth District Court on one charge of illegally performing prescribed electrical work.
In February 2019, Mr Johnston installed underground service mains cables to his six-section sub-division development in New Plymouth. He supplied and installed the underground cables from the boundary boxes to each section. Mr Johnston was not a registered electrician and therefore was not authorised to carry out the work. In February 2021, the purchasers of one of the sub-divided properties were alerted by their builder that the installation was not legal.
As a result, the purchasers experienced considerable delays and costs associated with the subsequent testing, inspection and certification required to proceed with building on the site.
Mr Johnston admitted carrying out the work and was sentenced to a fine of $1,000, as well as $5,719 in reparation to the victim. Mr Johnston has since appealed the reparation order to the High Court.