Dorset and Wiltshire FRS prosecutes Bournemouth premises owner

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was made aware that parts of Watson’s premises (located on Roslin Road in Bournemouth) were being used as a holiday let following a complaint made by a member of the public who had stayed there and harboured concerns regarding a number of alleged on-site fire safety failings.

Fire safety inspectors from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service holds the legal power to enter a premises if attending officers believe it’s necessary to do so in order to enforce the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and can ‘require any person having responsibilities in relation to any premises’ to afford them such assistance.

Despite repeated attempts to gain entry to the premises in order to conduct an inspection, Watson refused to co-operate with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and permit access.

Sentencing took place at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on 11 September after the trial went ahead in the absence of the defendant, who had failed to attend. Watson had also failed to attend earlier hearings.

Failure to comply

Elizabeth Jean Watson was ordered to pay a fine of £1,100, a victim surcharge of £440 and prosecution costs of £21,750.13 following a finding of guilt at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court after ‘failing, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirements imposed by a (fire safety) inspector’ contrary to Article 32(2)(e) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Tom Huntley, fire safety prosecution manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “To ensure the community is protected from the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a fire, it’s vital that our inspectors are able to carry out inspections and audits of commercial premises.”

Huntley added: “Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will seek to work with the community to mitigate the risks of fire where feasible. For this purpose, we may require entry to properties and the assistance of ‘Responsible Persons’, as set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Any refusal to provide assistance can be an offence, as is the case here, and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will pursue prosecution action through the courts where it’s appropriate – and in the public interest – to do so.”

*Further information is available online at www.dwfire.org.uk