A property developer who let students live in a partly converted building without any fire safety precautions was jailed for nine months suspended for a year and ordered to pay £40,000 in fines and costs.
Robert Price, 52, had previously admitted the offences before Leicester magistrates, but faced Judge Brown at the crown court for sentencing.
If he cannot pay the fine and costs within four months, he must serve six months in prison in default.
The judge heard that firemen checked out Lillie House, Condit Street, Leicester, while the conversion to student flats was underway and found serious fire risks.
As a result, a prohibition notice banning anyone from living in the building was issued.
The fire inspectors returned and found students were living in the building despite the notice.
“I take a serious view of these matters,” said the judge. “Health and safety should at all times be your highest priority as a property developer. It was not. You put profit for yourself above the safety of the students who were going to live in the accommodation you provided.
“Your conduct fell far below the safety requirements required. You clearly had prior knowledge of the deficiencies not just the day before the students had been in the property for a month.
“You failed to heed the warning of the architect. You ignored that advice. You failed to heed the warning of the fire safety officers and when a prohibition notice was issued you breached not once but twice. You knowingly allowed occupation when fire safety standards were inadequate and that it was financially motivated.”
Site foremen Craig Derrick admitted breaching a fire safety prohibition notice to Leicester magistrates and must pay £5,015 in fines and costs.
Rick Taylor, of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The sentences reflect the seriousness with which such a flagrant breach of fire safety legislation is viewed.
“Those put at risk were young students, many of whom were away from home for the first time, placing their trust in Price. These students were let down and misled into believing they could return to their accommodation, despite the serious fire safety failings.”
