Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority (MFRA) has a long memory when it comes to fire safety. Mr Sheikh Abdul Kadir, former owner of an Indian restaurant in St Helen’s, received a 6-month suspended sentence for fire safety breaches dating back to 2011 at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 15th April
The court heard that in 2010 fire safety inspectors had issued a Prohibition Notice against the premises. The lack of appropriate fire safety measures in the property meant that there was a serious risk to the safety of persons sleeping on the first floor, including lack of fire detectors, a suitable escape route and emergency lighting.
On a further check of the premises by inspectors it was found that Mr Kadir had breached the Prohibition Notice.
The Defendant failed to appear in court when initially summoned in 2013 and for several years his whereabouts were unknown. On 18th March 2021 Mr Kadir eventually pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court to all the charges alleged against him under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (2005).
At the conclusion of the hearing the judge commented that the offences showed a serious disregard for fire safety. However, given that Mr Kadir had no previous convictions and was generally deemed to be of good character, the judge elected to suspend the sentence.
Watch Manager Ian Clarke, who attended the sentencing hearing, said: “Where people’s lives are at stake, MFRA will take action no matter the timescale involved.”
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