Suspended sentence for fire safety breach landlord
A Lancashire landlord has been given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to breaching fire safety regulations.
Neal Gilligan, who is the owner of several properties in Lytham St Annes pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him at Preston Crown Court on 11th October.
Fire officers discovered the breaches after a fire broke out in one of the properties. It was found that an sufficient fire risk assessment had not been carried out and fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting were not working properly.
Investigators discovered that all seven of Mr Gilligan’s properties were found to have serious fire safety failings.
The Judge at Preston Crown Court said: “It is a miracle no-one was injured or put in harm’s way,” said Susan Beech. “You showed a careless, if not wilful disregard for the safety and lives of your tenants, putting rental income before the safety of those whose rent you were only too keen to take. There is a need to send a clear message to others that disregard for important safety precautions, either once or over a prolonged period, will not go unmarked or unpunished.”
£30,000 fine for fire safety breach landlords
Two commercial property landlords in Manchester have been fined £30,000 for breaching fire safety regulations.
Suhail Sawar and Tariq Sawar were found guilty of the offences at Manchester City magistrates’ court.
An investigation had shown that the two multi occupancy properties in Derby Road had insufficient emergency lighting, fire alarms and a sufficient fire risk assessment had not been carried out.
Suhail Sawar was fined £17,500 and £3,365 costs, and his father, Tariq Sawar was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay £2,480 costs.
Peter O’Reilly from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said: “It was made clear to these two men that they alone were the responsible individuals for ensuring the fire safety of people in the respective buildings they owned. They comprehensively failed to do this, despite enforcement notices being issued.”
£13,000 fine for fire safety breaches
The owner of a property in London, has been ordered to serve 150 hours community service and to pay £13,000 in court costs after being found guilty of a string of offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Mr Saif Ahmed appeared at Tower Bridge magistrates’ court after fire safety officers inspected his property in Camberwell 2009.
Steve Turek, Assistant commissioner said: “It is essential that building owners understand their responsibilities under fire safety law. London Fire Brigade works hard to ensure individuals and companies understand their responsibilities under fire safety law and only uses prosecution as a last resort but this verdict sends out a clear message that if they ignore fire safety then they will face serious penalties.”
Mr Ahmed was found guilty of 7 safety breaches including insufficient fire alarms, emergency lighting and escape routes.
£20,000 fire safety fine for factory owner
The owner of a food production company in Edmonton has been found guilty of breaching fire safety regulations.
Ms Mong Liu was fined almost £20,000 after admitting violating several safety regulations including not providing sufficient smoke detectors, alarms and emergency lighting and failing to train staff in fire safety.
Enfield Magistrates Court found Ms Liu guilty of endangering the lives of her staff and visitors to the premises.