A FORMER Lord Mayor of Nottingham has been given a suspended prison sentence for knowingly breaching fire safety regulations at his company.

Mohammed Munir, who runs Trent Valley Trading in Wigman Road, Bilborough, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to six separate charges.

The court heard he had failed to ensure there was an effective means of escape from the site in the event of a fire, and that exits were properly illuminated and accessible.

Fire officers visited the company and issued an enforcement notice urging it to change its fire safety procedures.

But the fire service said Munir – who was Lord Mayor of the city for two years from 2006 to 2008 – was prosecuted "when it became apparent that he had ignored the deadline and continued to trade without ensuring his premises were safe".

The court heard, in mitigation, that Munir had made an early guilty plea and was of previous good character.

But the judge said Munir had put the needs of the business over employee safety.

As well as the suspended sentence, Munir was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, and pay £4,000 in costs.

After the case, Neil Williamson, Notts Fire and Rescue Service's fire protection manager, said: "We are here to advise and give support to local businesses and are always willing to help make sure they comply with fire safety legislation.

"However, the public should continue to be reassured that we take any breaches of fire safety very seriously and will use legal sanctions where necessary.

"In this case, my officers had previously spent some time ensuring that the occupier was aware of his responsibilities and duties to ensure the safety of employees and it is disappointing that he chose to place people at risk from fire. The absence of a fire risk assessment is a particularly bad aspect of this case, especially after numerous reminders."

Notts Fire and Rescue Service is reminding business owners of their legal responsibility to protect staff and customers from the risk of fire.