Carl Smith, the owner of Ivy Lane Campers and Nigel Crellin were prosecuted at Grimsby Crown Court on Tuesday 25 February 2025 for fraudulently providing documents relating to the gas safety of the campervan that was hired out to a customer, where an explosion happened.
On the first use of the gas stove in the campervan, the gas cylinder leaked causing an explosion, which burnt the customer’s hand, leg and foot. The cooker cupboard door was blown off its hinges. The injuries meant the victim’s wedding ring had to be cut off by the accident and emergency department.
Following an investigation carried out by North Lincolnshire Council’s Trading Standards, the team discovered that Carl Smith employed Nigel Crellin to carry out an inspection of the vehicle after the gas cylinder exploded. Mr Crellin backdated paperwork to make it look like the vehicle had been safe and the correct documents were in place. However, Mr Crellin made up a business name and wrote a non-existent gas safe ID number on the documents.
Mr Crellin pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud for the false documentation on the first occasion.
Carl Smith pleaded guilty to failure to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and fraud by false representation.
The court heard that on Monday 16 August 2023 the campervans gas hob was used to cook a meal when suddenly without warning the gas cannister inside the cupboard ignited causing the cupboard door to blow off. The campervan was occupied by the victim and family at the time the flash fire occurred.
Judge Singh passing sentence said:
“In my view the appropriate punishment is immediate custodial term. To do otherwise would send out the wrong message. Three people were endangered in a confined space and the cover up was systematic.”
Carl Smith was sentenced to 16 months immediate imprisonment and Nigel Crellin was sentenced to 14 months immediate imprisonment.
This matter was prosecuted by Barrister Jordan Millican of Exchange Chambers Leeds and North Lincolnshire Councils Litigation team
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for community wellbeing (rural), said:
“It is great to see rogue traders like these being held accountable for their actions. By not having the correct checks in place, the customer was put in danger. To then try and cover their tracks is totally unacceptable.
“Protecting public safety is vital and raising awareness of what to look out for to prevent anything like this happening again.
“Please be wary of traders advertising on social media sites without carrying out additional checks into them. It is always best to be safe than sorry.
“If you have any concerns about any businesses or traders in North Lincolnshire, please make sure you report them to not only protect consumers but the business community from rogue traders.”
