Takeaway owner admits fire safety breaches

A FORMER Warrington takeaway owner has been prosecuted for failing to put in place adequate fire safety measures.
Shahid Aleem, 34, pleaded guilty at Warrington Crown Court to seven offences of breaching fire regulaltions at Breck’s Takeway in Bridge Street.
Aleem, of Chapel Street, Brierfield, Lancashire, was given a six month prison sentence for each charge, suspended for 12 months to run concurrently, with costs of £600 plus victim surcharge and 280 hours community service.
The court was told Aleem had provided sleeping accommodation to two people on two floors above the ground floor takeaway, which when visited by fire safety officers was found to have inadequate fire safety measures, endangering the lives of occupiers.
Due to the serious nature of the breaches in fire safety at the property a prohibition notice was served.
Escape routes were found to be inadequate and had put the occupiers’ lives at risk and smoke alarms were not working. If a fire had broken out there would have been no warning as the alarms were not linked together. Also rooms were not protected by the correct type fire doors.
Aleem pleaded guilty to all the offences on the basis that he accepted all responsibility for fire safety at the premises.
Judge Tina Landale said Aleem had shown a flagrant disregard for
the law and didn’t put in place protection for tenants and employees.
He had been guilty of persistent misconduct and placed people at high risk of death or serious injury as he repeatedly failed to rectify the issues.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service found the property to be in a dangerous state and it was obvious to the defendant that he shouldn’t have anyone living there yet he allowed them to live there for another year, again disregarding the warnings.
Head of prevention and protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Simon Gibbins said: “We welcome the sentence handed out by the court as this was a serious breach of fire safety.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of businesses making sure that if they change the use of a premises, in particular to sleeping accommodation, there will be enhanced levels of fire protection needed.
“I would hope that this prosecution serves as a warning to anyone thinking of changing the use of rooms into accommodation. It also serves to highlight the importance of making sure the correct fire prevention is put in place.”