A HOTEL owner has been fined failing to provide information he was required to by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Darioush Keynejad, of the Ivy Hotel, Moormead Road, Wroughton, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 5, and was ordered to pay a total of £1,265.

He pleaded guilty to one offence of failure to comply with a requirement to provide information requested by the Fire and Rescue Service within the time stipulated. Mr Keynejad failed to respond within time despite being sent reminders, causing a delay in assessing a key element of the fire safety provisions at the hotel.

In mitigation, he stated he had become confused by the requirements placed on him to comply with both an enforcement notice and the information request. He also said that family health issues had been a distraction and caused him to spend a lot of time away from the hotel.

Magistrates noted this was a serious matter and Group Manager Iain Hunter, head of fire safety for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It is important the critical work of fire safety inspectors should not be delayed unduly by the need to gather information.

“Any failure of fire safety arrangements in non-domestic premises can endanger both employees and the public, particularly in premises that provide sleeping accommodation.”

The sum was made up of a fine of £500, a contribution to Fire Service costs of £750 and a £15 victim surcharge.