A student landlord from Bristol has been given a suspended jail sentence, following a breach of numerous fire safety regulations.
Garreth Wilson’s neglect towards legislation was first revealed in 2012, when students in the property had to be rescued following a fire. Mr Wilson was then found guilty of breaching fire safety law, but after another inspection a few months later, Avon Fire and Rescue found that sufficient safety measures had still not been introduced
Neglect
Mr Wilson’s breaches of fire regulations included:
- insufficient written fire risk assessment
- inadequate fire escape routes
- no self-closing fire doors
- non-maintenance of fire safety equipment
In court, Mr Wilson admitted to a further three breaches of legislation and as a result was given another three months suspended sentence, to go with the four months he had previously been issued.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s head of technical fire safety group manager Matt Peskett, said, ‘we are satisfied with the outcome of this case and that the sentence reflects the severity of the charges. As the responsible person for the property, Mr Wilson had a duty to ensure the safety of those living in the accommodation. Without adequate fire safety measures lives were put at risk.’[1]
‘Part of the role of the fire and rescue service is to enforce the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and ensure all business premises and public places comply so people are safe when inside,’ Peskett added.[1]
[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/7/suspended-sentence-for-student-landlord