The managing director of student housing company Student Housing Northamptonshire Ltd has been sentenced to six months in prison after breaching a number of fire safety regulations in three of his student let properties.
Jason Berrington failed to take the appropriate fire safety precautions in three Northampton student properties according to the Northamptonshire Fire and rescue Service, who investigated the lets after receiving information suggesting safety breaches.
At a hearing at Northampton Crown Court, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service prosecuted Mr Berrington, who pleaded guilty to failing to take general fire precautions at all three of the student properties.
Berrington also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice at one of the properties in North Hayes Court and the breach of a prohibition notice at a property in Derngate.
Following the hearing on 28 May 2014, Berrington received a six month suspended prison sentence, 150 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months, £750 of fire service costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
Commenting on the case, Chief Fire Officer Martyn Emberson suggested that the sentencing highlighted the importance of fire safety breaches and systematic non-compliance to fire safety regulations in the eyes of the court.
He said: “I hope it sends a clear message out to landlords and managing agents across Northamptonshire. Responsible Persons need to act responsibly.”