AN electrician claimed he had been put under pressure by two men to provide stolen electrical quality certificates.

Gordon Clough and another electrician, Colin Cooper, had supplied five certificates for a flat conversion project in Park Road, Bolton, on behalf Bolton Council building surveyor Harry Jackson.

Cooper stole the certificates, which belonged to Bolton Council's Direct Labour Organisation where both men worked at the time, and Clough forged them, Bolton Crown Court heard.

But Clough said he was asked by Michael Auty, another council employee acting as a foreman for the job, to provide another NIC certificate for a house in Tennis Street.

Jackson also asked him to provide this certificate, which can only be issued by members of the approved governing body, to cover electrical re-wiring work at the house.

Later, because of a dispute over their payment, they decided to destroy the rest of the certificates in the book, which they used in their official council work, so they could not be tempted in the future.

In evidence, Colin Cooper said he had worked as an electrician for 38 years, the last six of which, up to his dismissal, had been spent with Bolton Council.

He said he and Clough had worked on a number of jobs for Jackson and Auty but, at Park Road, they had been asked for NIC certificates, something that had not happened on the other jobs.

Jackson, aged 51, of Redcar Road, Little Lever, and 49-year-old Auty, of Inverlael Avenue, Heaton, are on trial at Bolton Crown Court.

Jackson faces seven charges, including using a false instrument, namely an electrical installation certificate, which he knew to be false, and making false and reckless statements during the course of a business. Auty faces two charges of using a false instrument and handling stolen goods. Both men deny all the charges. Clough and Cooper have already been prosecuted.

Earlier, the court heard that the certificates at the heart of the trial are issued to members of the scheme, such as electrical contractors, so that companies and mortgage lenders know a certain standard of work has been achieved.

At the end of the work, Jackson allegedly told the men that he would not pay them unless they gave him NIC certificates.

(Proceeding)