A DUDLEY electrician who left work in a faulty and dangerous condition at two Black Country homes has been given an 18 month conditional discharge.

Alan Riley had failed to carry out satisfactory work at a house in Commonside, Pensnett, where he had installed sockets, downlights and a new fuse box, according to Alexander Barnfield, prosecuting.

The 66-year-old's work on the electrical system at a property in Chiltern Road, Amblecote, was also described as "unsatisfactory".

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that both jobs had been left at a "dangerous level" and the second victim only came to light when Trading Standards officials checked Riley's paperwork.

Riley qualified in his profession in 1970 but had failed to keep up with changes in rules and regulations, the court was told.

"You have gone 48 years in the trade without updating your knowledge about how things should be carried out in the 21st century," Recorder Benjamin Nicholls said.

He said the regulations were in place to protect the public from rogue traders, adding: "You failed to carry out this work to a safe standard."

The court heard that one victim had responded to a "misleading" advert in a local newspaper, where Riley, of Osberton Drive, had described himself as a certified electrician.

"It is the responsibility of every trader and professional to keep up to date with modern standards and requirements," said the recorder.

He told Riley the regulations that were in place when he qualified were no longer acceptable and the work he had done in the two properties gave cause for concern.

Stephen Hamblett, defending, said Riley qualified as an electrician "many years ago" and was a member of the "old school" and he accepted he had failed to keep up with the changes.

Riley admitted six charges relating to breaching regulations and must pay his two victims a total of £664 compensation together with £1,800 costs.

The court was told there had been no other complaints and only a small amount of money had been needed to rectify the faults.