YESTERDAY, Scott Lee Stuart admitted the manslaughter of Alex Mitchell, who died on March 25 last year.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Stuart, 39, who ran Stuart Plumbing and Heating Services, had fitted a flueless gas fire at the property although he was not qualified to do so.

Stuart, of Waltwood Drive, Llanmartin broke down in tears in the dock as he delivered his guilty plea.

Peter Davies, prosecuting, said that as well as being unqualified, Stuart had also failed to carry out either of two required safety checks on the burner.

Either test would have revealed the gas was burning at too high a rate, causing the catalytic converter to block with soot.

This in turn led to a build-up of the deadly carbon monoxide which killed first Alex Mitchell, who was found upstairs in her bedroom, and then the family's pet dog, Buster.

Although Stuart was Corgi registered and so qualified to install central heating boilers, Mr Davies said he had no qualification to install this sort of space heater.

Stuart also pleaded guilty to two lesser counts under the Health and Safety Act.

One related to work done at an address in Wentwood Road, Caerleon, the other to a fire fitted at a property in Alice Street, Newport.

On both counts, Stuart pleaded guilty to failing in his duty to ensure other persons are not exposed to risk of their health and safety, when he fitted flueless gas fires at the properties.

In both cases he failed to use the right fitting to connect an 8mm pipe to a 10mm pipe, and at the Wentwood Road property he also failed to fit a sleeve to protect the pipes from corrosion.

Both meant the residents were exposed to risk in the form of a gas leak.

Stuart was warned he faces jail when he returns to Cardiff Crown Court on October 6 for sentencing.

Justice Roderick Evans told Stuart: "You must, I am afraid, prepare yourself for the prospect of a custodial sentence."

He was granted unconditional bail.

After the hearing, Detective Superintendent Bryan Wilson, from Gwent Police, said officers were very pleased with the conviction of Stuart.

He added: "I hope this will bring some closure for Mrs Mitchell and her family."

And he said the threat of carbon monoxide was "very real" and urged the public to be careful when employing people to carry out work.