Duo prosecuted for breaches of Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

The court case followed in the wake of non-compliance with a formal Prohibition Notice, which was issued on 21st May 2018 and negated the use of the premises for sleeping purposes.

During a thorough fire safety inspection conducted on 26 March 2021, officers from the Fire and Rescue Service found Bhagwat sleeping within the ground floor of the snooker hall at The Eden Complex along with other concerning fire safety breaches.

Pandher and Bhagwat first appeared before Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 6 January this year, whereupon they pleaded guilty to a total of 12 charges, all of them relating to breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Bhagwat was sentenced that day to a fine totalling £140 and ordered to pay a contribution towards the prosecution costs of £400 in addition to a victim surcharge of £40.

Sentencing for Pandher (the ‘Responsible Person’ under the Fire Safety Order) was adjourned until 14 May as he claimed he had not known that Bhagwat had been sleeping at the premises in breach of the Prohibition Notice, whereupon the court also imposed a fine of £500 and ordered that he pay a contribution of £1,500 towards the prosecution costs as well as a victim surcharge of £50.

Pat Johnson, senior fire engineer for the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, explained: “Although we seek to work closely with business owners to maintain general fire precautions, this prosecution reinforces the fact that, if Shropshire’s communities are put at risk of death or serious injury, we will not hesitate to take action. As fire inspecting officers, our ultimate commitment is to safeguard the lives and property of the people of Shropshire.”