'Incompetent' plumber caused a gas explosion which blew home from its foundations and left owners badly burned

Daniel Hickling, 32, caused blast after allegedly leaving a hole in piping Lincoln Crown Court told explosion was like a 'jet aircraft crashing' Martyn Moody, 63, suffered serious burns and is scarred for life His wife Teresa, from the Lincolnshire Wolds, had burns to her legs

By Leon Watson

PUBLISHED: 13:22 EST, 22 May 2013 | UPDATED: 13:49 EST, 22 May 2013

Plumber Daniel Hickling caused a gas explosion which blew a house off its foundations and injured the owner and his wife

An 'incompetent' plumber caused a gas explosion which blew a house off its foundations and injured the wealthy owner and his wife after botching a simple job, a court was told.

Daniel Hickling, 32, caused the blast described as like a 'jet aircraft crashing' after allegedly leaving a hole in piping which caused gas to leak into the luxury home of Martyn and Teresa Moody.

Hickling cut off and capped the protruding pipe and then buried it under the floor during the conversion of a former kitchen into a dining room, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

But he punctured the pipe and failed to carry out a straightforward test which would have located the leak, it was claimed.

Hours later the Moodys smelt gas and began searching their purpose built mansion located in the pretty hamlet of Nettleton in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

While checking out one of the rooms Mr Moody flicked on a cigarette lighter and the flame ignited a massive explosion which rocked the house.

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'Incompetent' plumber caused a gas explosion which blew home from its foundations and left owners badly burned