A pub landlord has pleaded guilty to eight fire safety offences after failing to understand he had become responsible when his lease changed.
Appearing at Manchester City magistrates court on Tuesday 3 July Robert Vincent Ashton of Westbourne Road, Swinton was ordered to pay £500 costs and given an 18-month conditional discharge.
The case was bought against Mr Ashton after an investigation in August 2011 revealed several fire safety failings.
The offences included: failing to make a suitable fire risk assessment; inadequate fire resistance to escape routes; failing to provide a suitable fire alarm; failing to provided suitable and sufficient firefighting equipment; and failing to comply with a prohibition notice.
Paul Darnborough, prosecuting for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said that had a fire occurred rather than providing a safe escape the emergency routes would have provided a "corridor of smoke and fire that would trapped people upstairs".
Mr Ashton pleaded guilty to all of the offences.
Assistant chief officer Peter O'Reilly, director of prevention and protection at GMFRS, said:
"We were right to bring this prosecution as members of the public had been put at risk - but the decision of the magistrates recognises that Ashton did not seek to put profit over safety but rather failed to understand his responsibilities.
"I hope that this case will encourage people setting up or entering businesses to ensure they research their legal responsibilities. Anyone entering into a lease arrangement must ensure they fully understand their obligations and the legal implications.”
The case was bought against Mr Ashton after an investigation in August 2011 revealed several fire safety failings.
The offences included: failing to make a suitable fire risk assessment; inadequate fire resistance to escape routes; failing to provide a suitable fire alarm; failing to provided suitable and sufficient firefighting equipment; and failing to comply with a prohibition notice.
Paul Darnborough, prosecuting for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said that had a fire occurred rather than providing a safe escape the emergency routes would have provided a "corridor of smoke and fire that would trapped people upstairs".
Mr Ashton pleaded guilty to all of the offences.
Assistant chief officer Peter O'Reilly, director of prevention and protection at GMFRS, said:
"We were right to bring this prosecution as members of the public had been put at risk - but the decision of the magistrates recognises that Ashton did not seek to put profit over safety but rather failed to understand his responsibilities.
"I hope that this case will encourage people setting up or entering businesses to ensure they research their legal responsibilities. Anyone entering into a lease arrangement must ensure they fully understand their obligations and the legal implications.”
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