A UK landlord labelled “greedy and selfish” by a Judge has pleaded guilty to a number of fire safety failings in Court.
Mr Andrew Kennedy, 38, found himself facing legal action after a former resident who occupied ‘an unconverted attic room’ lodged a complaint with Preston Fire Service.
Fire and housing officers subsequently conducted inspections at the Preston-based property and discovered ‘serious fire safety breaches’ – including inadequate fire separation, a total lack of smoke detectors and insufficient means of escape from the attic bedroom, in the event of fire.
A Court heard that the mid-terraced two-storey house was occupied by five people – and that the disputed bedroom was accessible only via a loft hatch with the aid of a removable wooden ladder.
Judge Robert Altham told Preston Crown Court that Mr Kennedy was “greedy and selfish,” upon hearing that the rogue landlord had previously disobeyed a prohibition notice.
Mr Kennedy pleaded guilty to five fire safety charges, and to failing to comply with the notice.
He received a 39-week sentence, suspended for 18 months and was ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work.
Commenting on the case, Mr Tony Crook, of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “ I hope this case shows that people who have responsibilities to meet fire safety obligations but fail to do so face severe penalties – not just financial but, as in this example, potentially a custodial sentence as well.”