CHESHIRE East councillor Brian Silvester says he and his brother ‘sincerely regret’ putting tenants’ lives at risk at his rented-out property in Crewe.
The former mayor of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council was fined £45,000 and ordered to pay £22,000 costs at Chester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday), after admitting a catalogue of fire safety breaches at the building on Crewe Road in Shavington.
His brother Colin also pleaded guilty to the same 11 charges, and another charge levelled at them by the council for failing to obtain a licence for a house of multiple occupation.
The court heard how the property, which was split into ten bedsits, was ‘an accident waiting to happen’, with broken smoke alarms, loose wiring, holes in the roof and combustible materials in the corridors all meaning escape in the event of a fire would have been almost impossible.
In a statement released after the hearing, the Silvester brothers said: “The Silvester family have had paying guests in their bedsits at Shavington in their family farmhouse home for nearly 40 years without anyone coming to any harm at all.
“Legislation, of which we were unaware, resulted in a licence being required for the accommodation we rent at the farm. Once it was pointed out that from March 2011 we were in default of this legislation we immediately took action to correct the situation.
“We were also unaware that there was a need to have a fire risk assessment. This was done immediately once it was brought to our attention.
“We have co-operated fully with the Fire Service and the Council to introduce enhanced safety measures and other improvements.
“We sincerely regret what has happened and would like to thank all those who have supported us through this very difficult period.”
Despite his criminal conviction, Cllr Silvester will remain in his post as Willaston ward councillor.
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