Faulty (From Warrington Guardian)

Faulty

Walnut Avenue householder Kenneth Crozier was left furious after the Northwich court decided the meter has to go in place.

Mr Crozier, who says he is also taking the matter to the Department for Constitutional Affairs, told the court that his gas and electricity bills had doubled to £120 in a quarter despite no change in his lifestyle.

The hearing was told that a warrant to install the pre-payment meter was being applied for by British Gas after Mr Crozier had allegedly failed to pay a £433 debt.

Faulty

Mr Crozier claimed the company owed him money, not the other way round.

He strongly disputed the claim and blamed faulty gas and electricity meters for the problem.

Mr Crozier said: "I want this to go to the High Court as British Gas are basically trying to claim sovereignty over me.

"After signing up with British Gas, my bill doubled but my lifestyle has not changed and I have not done anything different compared to before.

"What has happened is they have resorted to leverage, coercion and blackmail but the fact of the matter is the gas and electricity meters were both seriously wrong.

"I wrote to British Gas asking them to have a look at them but they didn't reply."

Speaking after the hearing, a spokesman for British Gas said they do not employ strong-arm tactics when dealing with customers.

He added: "The dispute over the outstanding amount is something which will need to go through the appropriate channels."

jbrakell@guardiangrp.co.uk