Ad plumbs new depths

A FORMER plumber who advertised to install hot water systems despite not holding a building licence has been fined $2000 for dropping leaflets in letterboxes on the Gold Coast.

Wade Francis Morley arrived at court ten minutes after proceedings had started.

Morley was sentenced in his absence after he failed to return to court after the matter was stood down for half an hour for Magistrate Mark Howden to consider costs.

He was found guilty of ad- vertising by an unlicensed person – the second time he has faced the same charge.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission lawyer Suliana Tabaiwalu said on July 22, 2015 a letter was dropped in a Gold Coast mailbox advertising the services of Moose’s Plumbing and Gasfitting.

She said the advertisement stated he could replace hot water systems.

“He does not hold a licence for plumbing or gas fitting – both were cancelled in 2012,” Ms Tabaiwalu said.

She said in 2016 Morley was fined for five counts of similar offences.

In 2014 the QBCC issued a public warning that Morley and Moose Plumbing and Gasfitting were not licenced to carry out any building works, including plumbing and gasfitting.

Magistrate Howden said Morley had inconvenienced the court through constant delays, being late and then failing to return to the court.

“This matter has a long history dating back to 2015,” he said.

Mr Howden fined Morley $2000 and ordered he pay more than $1800 in costs.