By Gavin Mackintosh-
A Rogue landlord from Bromley, South London, has been sentenced after operating Convent of Mercy, Swanley as illegal hostel.
Mustafa Kemal Mustafa, of Briar Lane, West Wickham in Bromley, was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court to an 11 month jail term which was suspended for two years for the fire safety related offences.
The sentence is to run concurrently with the further sanctions for the health and safety offences, which was a 13 month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, for putting tenants lives at risk
The Convent of Mercy, Sycamore Drive, Swanley has been subject to numerous health and safety warnings and fire hazard notices
It was converted into use as an illegal hostel and has been served with numerous enforcement notices dating back to 2014.
These related to complaints over noise, unauthorised building works and fire safety, amid other concerns. It follows a double prosecution brought by Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Ignored Fire Notices
The court heard how Mustafa ignored fire service notices which prohibited the use of a first floor kitchen and a makeshift hostel for living or sleeping. Following an investigation, significant defects within the building’s fire detection system were also identified.
He pleaded guilty to these offences at Croydon Crown Court in September 2019, after which the judge postponed sentencing pending the HSE related prosecution.
Mustafa later appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on February 21 where he plead guilty to a string of health and safety related offences brought by the watchdog.The leaseholder was sentenced to an 11 month jail term which was suspended for two years for the fire safety offences.
Mattresses at the former Convent of Mercy in Sycamore Drive. Image: Sevenoaks Council
Complaints
Complaints about anti-social behaviour at the property has been a long running affair. Abatement notices were served due to foul smelling bonfires and intolerable noise in 2014 and 2016. Cops police have been called out to the scene on multiple occasions.
Mustafa was handed a £15,000 fine last year after ignoring a planning enforcement notice issued by Sevenoaks Council and continuing to house people, prompting the authority to obtain a closure order in 2018 .
KFRS praised the outcome of the case, adding “where necessary we will take action”.
Mark Woodward, the fire service’s group manager for building safety, said: “The outcome of this case sends out a very clear message to those responsible for residential properties – they must make sure that the fire safety measures in their buildings meet minimum standards and are kept in good working order so people’s lives are not put at risk.