The trial of a Fife businessman on charges which included putting the occupants of an Angus house at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because of a badly-fitted stove has been delayed further into next year.
Justin Jackson is facing charges brought under consumer protection legislation relating to alleged incidents at two separate properties between June and August last year.
The 47-year-old, of Whinpark Place, Newburgh is charged with knowingly or recklessly engaging in a practice which contravened professional diligence while fitting a stove at a property in North Esk Road, Edzell between June 18 and July 28 2016.
Jackson is accused of failing to provide a carbon monoxide detection system and also of putting the occupants at risk of poisoning by failing to secure the joint where a flexible flue liner met the chimney cowl.
His is also charged with fitting flue pipes and a liner with a diameter less than that of the stove outlet, failing to install an air vent or provide adequate air gaps around the stove, and failing to provide a label or other indelibly marked sign with information required to alert future workmen to the specification of the installed system.
The complaint also alleges that, being a trader at the time, on August 25 at a house in Hill Terrace, Arbroath and elsewhere that he made a misleading statement on his website that Stove Safe was located in Perth, knowing that was false.
He is also accused of making a further misleading claim on his website that services were provided by “a team of HETAS qualified installers with over 15 years’ experience”, knowing that claim to be false.
Jackson has denied all the charges and trial had been scheduled for January 26, but at Forfar sheriff court the case was re-scheduled to a new trial date on February 19.
Defence solicitor Brian Bell said: “The matter, especially charge one is fairly complex.
“There have been discussions and I understand there is no opposition to a defence motion to discharge the trial diet.
“A large amount of productions have been provided by the Crown and hopefully progress can be made in respect of significant areas of evidence which can be agreed.
“A fresh intermediate diet in the case was set for January 23, with Jackson scheduled to face trial on February 19.
The accused was ordained to appear by Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown.
