FIA | The former owner of an Indian restaurant in Watlington has been sentenced for multiple breaches of fire safety law that put lives at risk.
Mr Khalique Choudhury received a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also fined £1,700, ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £6,284 in costs. His conviction followed an earlier hearing at Oxford Magistrates Court on 24 July 2025.
Fire safety inspectors from Oxfordshire County Council’s fire and rescue service visited the premises in March 2024. They found no adequate fire risk assessment, unprotected escape routes, and no working fire alarm or detection system. The restaurant was operating on the ground floor, with staff accommodation provided in bedrooms above.
Following a fire safety audit under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, inspectors judged the premises so dangerous that they immediately prohibited the use of the building for sleeping. Occupants were removed under a prohibition notice until essential safety measures could be put in place.
Mr Choudhury later appeared in court, where he pleaded guilty to four offences under fire safety legislation.
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “The vast majority of Oxfordshire businesses operate to the highest standards, rightly protecting their customers, staff and their livelihoods. I’m very grateful to the officers in this case, who are out there every day not only to protect the public, but to also ensure that those businesses following the rules can compete on a level playing field.”
Jody Kerman, Head of Oxfordshire County Council’s Prevention, Protection and Trading Standards teams, added: “Our fire safety inspectors are finding an increasing number of businesses with sleeping accommodation above, where no fire safety measures have been implemented. Business owners have a legal duty to put fire safety measures in place, and as this case shows, we will not hesitate to take action to ensure the safety of occupants, residents and customers.”
The council has reminded business owners and employers that prohibition notices can be issued whenever accommodation fails to meet fire safety standards, and that they have a duty of care to provide safe and suitable premises.
