Suspended sentence for hotel owner who flouted the law

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today (Thursday 11) warned companies to comply with their notices after a Lincolnshire hotel owner was sentenced for a number of offences.

Kulwinder Bola, owner of the Royal Renaissance Hotel in Skegness, was found guilty on Tuesday 28 October of ignoring a prohibition notice issued by the HSE.

He was also found guilty of employing an unregistered gas fitter to install pipework and gas catering appliances and failing to appoint a planning supervisor in respect of the project to refurbish the hotel.

Today (Thursday, 11 December) at Skegness Magistrates' Court, Mr Bola received a 12 week custodial sentence, suspended for 1 year for ignoring the HSE prohibition notice. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service within the year and to pay the full court costs of £20,623. Mr Bola received a conditional discharge for the other two charges.

The three charges resulted from an HSE inspector's site visit in July 2006.

Mr Bola was found guilty of breaching Regulation 6 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994; Regulation 4 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998; and section 22 of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

HSE inspector Judith McNulty-Green said:

"It is extremely important that gas appliances and pipework are installed by a CORGI-registered fitter. Always use a registered fitter. It is easy to check if a fitter is registered as there is a free phone number to call or you can check on the CORGI website. Never be tempted to cut corners or save money - you will be putting your health, or even your life, at risk. Every year 20 people lose their lives from carbon monoxide poisoning.

"When the inspector visited the hotel on 4 July 2006 a number of items were found to be immediately dangerous, including the gas supply to appliances. Four appliances were fitted with flues and required extraction but no extraction system was operational. Due to the danger of carbon monoxide, those appliances were disconnected from the gas supply and a prohibition notice was served banning their use.

"However, the defendant told his chefs they could use the banned equipment.

"HSE takes very seriously breaches of notices. Ignoring the ban was extremely dangerous and posed a serious risk to employees at the hotel. I agree with District Judge Blake's comments that notices are issued to keep people and places safe and this sentence sends out an important message."