Fire chiefs say their prosecution of a guest house owner who flouted safety regulations shows they “will not hesitate” to use enforcement powers to protect the public.

Wendy Bute ignored requests to make vital improvements to Marina View, in Roker, Sunderland, and continued to allow customers to sleep there.

Fire inspectors were called on three occasions and found fire doors missing, alarms defective and part of a ceiling missing.

Bute, 57, of Featherstone Street, Roker, earlier this week received a suspended jail term at Newcastle Crown Court after she admitted three fire safety order breaches between October of last year and this April.

Owner Wendy Bute has received a suspended jail term after breaching fire safety regulations at Marina View, in Roker, Sunderland.

placeholder image — Owner Wendy Bute has received a suspended jail term after breaching fire safety regulations at Marina View, in Roker, Sunderland.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service have now reminded people responsible for premises that they have a “legal duty” to ensure appropriate fire safety measures are in place.

A statement said they were initially alerted to safety concerns after firefighters rescued a person from a blaze at the property.

Advice and guidance was offered and the service also worked alongside Sunderland City Council and other agencies to support improvements.

But the statement continued: “Despite continued engagement, significant fire safety issues remained.”

The Marina View Guest House, in Featherstrone Street, Sunderland.

Bute was issued with a prohibition notice and a prosecution was launched after return visits revealed people were still staying at the property with fire doors remaining inadequate.

A service spokesperson said: “The case demonstrates Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s commitment to a proportionate enforcement approach, using education, advice and engagement wherever possible to improve compliance with the ultimate goal of protecting the public.

“Businesses and those responsible for premises have a legal duty to ensure appropriate fire safety measures are in place.

“Where necessary, the service will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers to protect the public and reduce the risk of fire-related harm.”

The court heard Bute took over the guest house after the death of her father.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "Everything was getting too much. She was keeping her head in the sand but thankfully it is out of the sand now."

Recorder Georgina Nolan said the offences “placed people at risk, very real risk of death and serious injury in a fire” and that Bute disregarded the law.

She was sentenced to 18 months in jail, which was suspended for two years, with mental health treatment, probation requirements and a £150 fine.