Gas Act 1986

10 (1) If any person intentionally or by culpable negligence—

(a) injures or allows to be injured any gas fitting belonging to a public gas supplier;

(b) alters the index to any meter used for measuring the quantity of gas supplied by such a supplier; or

(c) prevents any such meter from duly registering the quantity of gas supplied,

he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(2) If an offence under sub-paragraph (1) above involves any injury to or interference with any gas fitting belonging to the public gas supplier, the supplier may also, until the matter has been remedied, but no longer, discontinue the supply of gas to the person so offending (notwithstanding any contract previously existing).

(3) Where any person is prosecuted for an offence under sub-paragraph (1)(b) or (c) above, the possession by him of artificial means for causing an alteration of the index of the meter or, as the case may be, the prevention of the meter from duly registering shall, if the meter was in his custody or under his control, be prima facie evidence that the alteration or prevention was intentionally caused by him.