Author Topic: Prosecution Result (Read 19664 times)

The Colonel · « **on:** January 28, 2008, 03:15:20 PM »

Article on prosecution by Lancashire CFA of a night club, cost the owner £8,000

http://www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/lfrs/news/news_item.php?id=46

kurnal · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2008, 05:37:43 PM »

Good to hear of the new laws working as they should. Sounds as though the punishment was deserved.

jokar · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2008, 07:22:27 PM »

I agree a great step forward but he probably made the 8k that night with the overcrowding and selling alcohol at inflated prices. The trouble with the legislation is that it is difficult for a Magistrate to determine the weight of the offence "death or serious injury@ prior to an offence and therefore the fines become immaterial. However after a fire an apply the same standard to persons injured then the fines rocket onto 6 figures per offence.

messy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2008, 10:45:58 PM »

It's a shame that not all fire authorities are being so proactive as Lancs.

Congratulations to them

Nearlybaldandgrey · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:17:00 AM »

Another good result.

Although the fine was not huge, it certainly sends out a clear message to those in the business community that the fire authority will, if necessary prosecute.

The Colonel · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2008, 08:33:32 PM »

And theres more

Cumbria Fire & Rescue took a tanning studio to court where there was no fire risk assessment, obstructed exits and no fire fighting equipment. Owner given conditional discharge suspended for 12 months and £2000 in costs. 26th January 2008.
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=591018

Lancashire CFa took a snooker club to court for having blocked exits, broken fire alarm, no risk assessment, no extinguishers and no emergency lighting. Club manager found guilty of eight offences but failed to turn up to court. A warrent has been issued to bring him to court for sentencing. 28th January 2008.
http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/news/newsheadlines/display.var.1999774.0.snooker_boss_faces_fine_over_fire_safety_breaches.php

Ricardo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2008, 09:25:30 PM »

Colonel

Thanks for keeping us up to speed with these prosecutions, I find it most interesting to see the various enforcing authorities using their powers under the legislation to ensure that responsible persons are punished where necessary for such serious flounting of fire safety rules.

You know if such persons don't want to comply and cannot be bothered to meet their responsibilities, then they should do us all a favour and pass it on to someone who is willing to be responsible, and go do something else, which doesnt involve playing with other peoples lives.

The Colonel · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2008, 07:48:25 PM »

Lancashire are at it again. This time after a fire in a flat the landlrd is fined £6000 and nearly got a custodial sentence.

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.2008609.0.landlord_fined_6_000_after_flats_fire.php

Nearlybaldandgrey · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2008, 08:34:23 PM »

Blimey, there's no stopping those Lancashire boys and girls .........

Well done to them though.

jasper · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2008, 09:58:10 AM »

I know quite a few of the people for Lancashire in the various fire safety departments and I think they should be commended on their work

Big A · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2008, 10:11:47 AM »

Quote from: jokar

. However after a fire an apply the same standard to persons injured then the fines rocket onto 6 figures per offence.

The HMO in Lancs result seems to imply otherwise. The reason for the six-figure fines imposed on the res care home in NW London was that the case had been referred to the Crown Court where the case is heard by a judge who is allowed to award unlimited fines. My view is that our legal departments should be pushing for more of these to be heard in the Crown Court. To fine someone £6,000 for nearly killing six people is not much of a punishment IMHO.

Midland Retty · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2008, 10:11:47 AM »

They have got a very slick set up at Lancashire - Our Brigade held a prosecution seminar and Warren Hessey the head of Fire Safety from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and their solicitor Warren Spencer came to talk to us.

The "Two Warrens" gave us a brilliant lecture, and showed just how simple prosecution can be if you know what you are doing and you have the right people in place to support you.

From a National persepective I'd say Lancashire are now the experts at building cases and successfully prosecuting. They are certianly showing us all the way we should go.

Me and a lot of my colleagues have got alot of respect for the Lancashire Fire Safety peeps!

The Colonel · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2008, 03:03:21 PM »

Just been talking to a former collegue and his area has two HMO landlords and a pub well on the way towards the dock and activly persuing more

PhilB · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2008, 12:01:46 PM »

Yes, well done Lancs, the Fire Safety Order will only be effective in maintaining standards and reducing risk if it is enforced by competent authorities.

Many of us are far behind Lancs but most FRS are trying to improve. As Retty correctly points out, it's not that difficult.

I reckon that Warren Hessey blokey had some good fire safety training in some dim and distant past.

Midland Retty · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2008, 11:04:38 AM »

What ... do you mean CS Todd & Associates trained him Mr Barry?

News:

Author Topic: Prosecution Result (Read 19664 times)

messy

Midland Retty

Midland Retty