Bellforce Developments Ltd and Gurpartap Singh Bhullar , of Manor Lodge, Mildenhall Road, Slough, were fined a total of £20,250 at Reading Crown Court on Thursday (25 July) for breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. They were also ordered to pay costs of £21,732.62 to Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.
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The charges related to an inspection of a house of multiple occupancy, at Mildenhall Road in Slough, which took place in October 2010. The inspection revealed serious breaches of fire safety regulations, including:
- A failure to take general fire precautions for relevant persons sleeping on the premises
- No fire risk assessment in place
- A failure to provide an adequate fire alarm system
- Fire alarm smoke detectors had been removed from the fire alarm system
- Fire alarm call points rendered inoperative
- Fire exits obstructed by combustible storage
- In adequate fire protection for fire escape routes
- Fire exit gates locked shut
- Inadequate emergency lighting for the premises
- Inadequate fire safety training for persons residing at the premises
- No maintenance of the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems
The case brought by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority was preceded by a previous prosecution, brought by Slough Borough Council against the defendants, under the Housing Act 2004. This resulted in convictions at East Berkshire Magistrates Court in April 2012.
The defendants had initially pleaded not guilty to a total of 38 charges at the Magistrates Court. The case was then committed to Reading Crown Court for trial of the 29 October 2012. The charges resulted in eight counts brought under Article 3 and 32 (8) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. On day one of the trial the defendants submitted guilty pleas on six of the eight counts and the hearing was adjourned for sentencing.
Prosecuting Counsel Eleanor Sanderson informed the court that the premises were owned by the first defendant, Bellforce Developments Limited, of which the second defendant, Gurpartap Singh Bhullar, was a Company Director. Both defendants had control and responsibilities over fire safety matters for the premises.
In summing up, his Honour, Judge Grainger, referred to the large number of failures in fire safety which placed persons at serious risk of death or injury. Judge Grainger considered pre-sentence reports and the defendant’s financial portfolios and awarded credit for a guilty plea. The court was informed that both defendants were of previous good character. In consideration of the mitigating factors, the company was fined a total of £ 13,500 and Gurpartap Singh Bhullar a further £ 6.750. Full costs were awarded in favour of the Authority.
The court ordered that the penalties were to be paid in 12 months time, with a six- month prison sentence in default of payment.
Royal Berkshire Fire Authority Fire Safety Legal Support Manager, David Walden, said: “This sends out a clear message that landlords who persistently ignore their legal obligations, to ensure their premises meet fire safety standards and thereby risk tenants’ safety, will not only be prosecuted but will receive significant financial penalties.
“This was a complex case which resulted in further charges brought by Slough Borough Council. The legislation is very clear and there is no excuse for landlords who fail to maintain their rental properties in compliance with the law”
