A Kidderminster business owner has been sentenced at Worcester Crown Court following a successful prosecution by Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority for serious breaches of fire safety legislation.
On 8 October 2026, Ansar Javaid, sole trader of Milan Pizza, 15 Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, DY10 1QG, appeared before Worcester Crown Court and pleaded guilty to two offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The first offence related to repeated breaches of a Prohibition Notice issued by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service on 6 December 2024. The notice prohibited the use of the upper floors of the premises due to the significant risk to life posed by the conditions present.
The second offence related to intentionally obstructing Fire Safety Inspectors from carrying out their duties.
During sentencing, the Judge described the conditions within the premises as “extremely dangerous” and stated that, had a fire occurred, the risk to life would have been “very great indeed”.
The Court heard that the premises presented a serious and sustained risk to life. The fire alarm system had been deliberately tampered with and was not functioning correctly, with sounders removed and smoke detectors covered over, significantly reducing the likelihood of occupants receiving any warning in the event of a fire. Fire Safety Inspectors also identified the absence of protected escape routes, locked final exits, inadequate firefighting equipment and numerous breaches in the building’s fire compartmentation, creating conditions that would have allowed fire and smoke to spread rapidly throughout the premises. The combined effect of these deficiencies meant that occupants would have had little or no opportunity to escape safely in the event of a fire. In sentencing, the Judge described the property as a “death trap” and stated that the risk to life was extremely high.
In passing sentence, the Judge noted that Mr Javaid knowingly breached the Prohibition Notice, ignored repeated warnings, deliberately prevented Fire Safety Officers from carrying out their statutory duties and placed occupants at grave risk in order to save money.
The Judge further stated that, had a fire occurred resulting in loss of life, the consequences could have been significantly more serious and that Mr Javaid could have faced more serious charges including manslaughter or murder.
Sentence
For the offences, the Court imposed:
- 12 months’ imprisonment for each offence, totalling two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years
- 100 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within 12 months
- Fines totalling £15,000 (£7,500 for each offence)
- Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority prosecution costs of £11,458.70
- Victim surcharge of £2,000
- Total financial penalty: £28,458.70
The Court also made it clear that Mr Javaid must work with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to ensure compliance with fire safety requirements. The Judge warned that any further breaches could result in Mr Javaid being returned to court and facing immediate imprisonment.
Group Commander Deborah Davies, Head of the Protection Department, said:
“This case demonstrates the serious consequences of failing to comply with fire safety legislation and deliberately obstructing Fire Safety Inspectors in the course of their duties.
The conditions found within this premises presented a high risk to life. The fire alarm system had been tampered with, escape routes were compromised, and fundamental fire safety measures were absent or defective. These were not minor deficiencies; they created conditions in which a fire could have had catastrophic consequences.
We will always seek to work with business owners to achieve compliance and keep people safe. However, where individuals deliberately ignore legal requirements, place others at risk, or obstruct our officers from carrying out their duties, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.
This prosecution should serve as a clear reminder that fire safety responsibilities are legal obligations, not optional requirements. Our priority will always be the protection of life, and we remain committed to holding those who put others at risk to account.”
Protecting our Communities
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service remains committed to protecting residents, workers and visitors from the risks posed by unsafe premises.
Businesses and property owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that fire safety measures are in place and maintained. Where serious risks to life are identified, the Service will not hesitate to take enforcement action to protect the public.