Sunderland landlady who kept guest house open despite fire safety warnings avoids jail
A landlady who ignored warnings that her guest house was a potential firetrap and caused potential risk of death has kept her freedom.
Wendy Bute was told to make vital improvements at the Marina View, in Roker, Sunderland, but did not do what she was advised and continued to allow people to sleep there while it was unsafe.
Newcastle Crown Court heard a fire inspector attended the building in August last year after a fire.
Prosecutor Ian Palmer said there were residents there and added: “He found fire doors missing, alarms defective and part of the ceiling missing.”
Mr Palmer said the defects meant any future fire could go undetected and easily spread through the premises.
Bute was unable to produce safety certificates when requested and she was then prohibited from having anyone sleeping or resting in the premises.
Mr Palmer said the fire officer returned in October last year and found evidence of “residential occupancy” and there were still fire safety defects.
The officer then went back in March this year and Mr Palmer added: “The officer noticed that while work had been started, there was nothing to prevent the spread of fire to the rooms, fire doors were inadequate, one was propped open and the fire alarm was still defective.
“Three people were sleeping in separate rooms.”
Bute, 57, who lives next door to the guest house, which she took over after the death of her father, admitted three fire safety order breaches.
Tony Cornberg, defending, told the court: "Everything was getting too much, she was keeping her head in the sand but thankfully it is out of the sand now."
Mr Cornberg said Bute allowed the people who had been sleeping at the guest house to live at her home rather than risk them being put onto the streets.
He added that the business was set up by Bute's parents and she wants to run it safely.
Bute had several character references to her kind and caring nature and indicate she is "well liked, well loved and well supported".
Recorder Georgina Nolan said the offences “placed people at risk, very real risk of death and serious injury in a fire” and Bute disregarded the law.
The recorder accepted “everything got too much” for Bute, who now accepts full responsibility and has shown remorse.
Bute was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years, with mental health treatment and probation requirements and £150 fine.