A couple who ran an indian restaurant in Coventry have both received suspended sentences for a catalogue of fire safety breaches.

Mohammed Uddin and Monowara Begum pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to 12 charges related to fire safety.

An inspection of the Bengal Spice restaurant revealed that the fire system was not working, fire doors had been jammed open and the fire extinguisher had not been tested for six years.

The floor above the restaurant was being used for accommodation but had no electricity, smoke detectors or fire alarms.

The couple also admitted failing to comply with a prohibition notice which restricted the use of the premises.

Mohammed Uddin, who ran the restaurant, was sentences to eight months in prison, suspended due to poor health. He was fined £12,235.50 to cover the prosecution costs and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Begum, who owned the restaurant, was sentenced to three months in prison, which was suspended for two years.

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.