Crown Court judge fines Bexhill shop £50,000

The Crown Court in Lewes heard Rother District Council's health and safety prosecution against the Linen Shop, 68 Devonshire Road on Monday.

Rother's Environmental Health Officers had asked the owners of the Linen Shop to carry out various repairs to their premises following an inspection in 2002.

The poor conditions included a flooded cellar, no "risk assessments", no staff toilets, and damp throughout the premises.

At the next visit, in 2006 these conditions had deteriorated to such an extent the cellar staircase had rotted and collapsed, a member of staff had suffered a broken ankle, and the condition of the electrical installation was of great concern, as the penetrating dampness would come into contact with the old electrics. None of the required works from 2002 had been completed.

In May 2006 the council's environmental health officers prohibited the use of the electrics until a full written report into the state of the electrical installation was produced. The use of the rotten staircase was also prohibited.

The director of the firm was interviewed and was aware of all the outstanding works. He further admitted that he did not report the accident of his employee, as he should have done and had failed to produce an electrical report as requested.

In giving his judgement the Judge described "Mr Anstey's Linen Shop" as "a disgrace".

Judge Heyward then imposed a total of 50,000 in fines and full costs of 7,560 were awarded to Rother District Council.

Commenting on the case, Cllr Ian Jenkins, lead cabinet member for health issues, said: "The council has a duty to protect the health and safety of employees in such circumstances and to ensure that employers provide satisfactory working conditions for their staff.

"This is just one of the many services the Council provides to safeguard the well being of those living and working in the district. These high fines reflect the very poor conditions at the shop which existed for a long period of time and the fact that the company refused to complete the works requested by the council".

Rother said this week that anyone who has any concerns about their working conditions may contact the council's Environmental Health Department either by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephoning 01424 787538.