Photo: ODT FilesA shonky plumber has been fined $8000 for illegal work at five Central Otago properties, a court has heard. Ben DeClifford was sentenced in the Invercargill District Court after pleading guilty to eight charges under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act. The charges came after complaints about work DeClifford did at five Cromwell and Wānaka properties between 2023 and last year. This included installation of sewerage and stormwater drains, potable water pipes, sanitary plumbing systems, and a hot water cylinder. ‘‘The water pipes installed below the slab would have likely failed before the durability period of 50 years.
