Date: 14th September, 2026
A Bournemouth woman has been ordered to pay over £23,000 for failing to comply with a fire service safety inspection.
Elizabeth Jean Watson was ordered to pay a fine of £1,100, victim surcharge of £440 and prosecution costs of £21,750.13 following a finding of guilt at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court after she had ‘failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirements imposed by a (fire safety) inspector’ contrary to article 32(2)(e) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Fire Safety Inspectors from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) have a legal power to enter a premises if they believe it is necessary to do so to enforce the legislation, and to ‘require any person having responsibilities in relation to any premises to give him such facilities and assistance.’
DWFRS became aware that parts of Watson’s premises in Roslin Road, Bournemouth were being used as a holiday let, following a complaint made by a member of the public who had stayed there and had concerns regarding a number of alleged fire safety failings.
Despite repeated attempts to gain entry to the premises in order to conduct an inspection, Watson refused to cooperate with DWFRS and allow access.
Sentencing took place at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday 11 September, after the trial went ahead in the absence of the defendant, who failed to attend. Watson had also failed to attend earlier hearings.
Tom Huntley, Fire Safety Prosecution Manager for DWFRS, said: “To ensure the community is protected from the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a fire, it is vital that our inspectors are able to carry out inspections and audits of commercial premises.
“DWFRS will seek to work with the community to mitigate the risks of fire where feasible. For this purpose, we may require entry to properties and the assistance of Responsible Persons, as set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A refusal to provide this can be an offence, as is the case here, and DWFRS will pursue prosecution action through the courts where it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so.”
More about the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 can be found at www.dwfire.org.uk/business-fire-safety