GAS inspectors found defects in nine properties where a Glossop gas fitter had worked following the death of two young people at a house in Hadfield.

Jason Barton, 36, of Beechwood, went on trial on Monday accused of two counts of manslaughter.

It follows the deaths of 15-year-old Mary Bailey and Martin Taylor, 21, both from Glossop, at a friend's house in Hadfield Road on 28 January last year.

They were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.

A boiler had been repaired by Barton a week earlier. But when the valve was replaced the gas pressure was set too high, Notthingham Crown Court was told.

The gas flames were too big and led to incomplete combustion. At the same time the flue was faulty and caused a downdraft of fatal fumes, the court heard.

Laura Sempoe rented the mid-terraced property from landlady Gayle Hulme, who had used Barton's RS Gas Services at a number of her properties in the Glossop area.

The emergency services were called to the house at 4.40pm and found the couple dead in a bedroom. Mary's body was lying on a bed and Mr Taylor was on the floor.

They were found by a friend who was also at the house.

He said his head had been spinning and he too had probably suffered partial carbon monoxide poisoning, the jury heard.

Investigations were carried out by British Gas and the Health and Safety Executive.

The gas pressure was found to be set at 61mb when the manufacturer's range was between 7.4mb and 12.7mb, Mr Barker told the court.

It was Barton's responsibility to inspect the flue, but the vent was less than 600mm above the roof edge and there were bends in the flue.

Other properties where he had worked were checked and alleged defects were found in Montrose Avenue, Dukinfield, Hollybank, Hollingworth, Green Lane, Simmondley, Princess Street and Shrewsbury Street, Glossop, Ashton Street and Kershaw Street, Whitfield and Bankbottom, Hadfield.

Barton later told police he had been a toolmaker for 15 years before retraining.

He had been a Corgi-registered installer for three-and-a-half years.

He pleads not guilty to manslaughter and the trial is expected to last up to three weeks.

The trial continues.