A landlord who breached health and safety laws which resulted in a woman sustaining severe burns could have his jail term reduced if he pays the victim compensation.

At the court hearing, Michael Billings, admitted breaching 14 health and Safety and Fire laws.  As a result of his breaches, a 20 year old female suffered 80% burns when a fire destroyed houses in the street where she lived.

The Judge sentenced Billings to 30 months in jail but he advised that if he paid £20,000 compensation to Ms Skalli, who was injured, his jail term could be reduced.

The court was told that there were no smoke detectors or fire extinguishers at the bedsits owned by Billings and the window in Ms Skalli’s room only opened 4 inches.  She had no chance of escaping and the heat was so intense it lead to her hair melting into the carpet.

The Judge ordered Billings to pay £20,000 towards costs and also made a compensation order and advised that he would review the sentence if Billings “shoed a gesture of remorse” by paying Ms Skallki compensation in the sum of £20,000.