The trial of a director of a property management company accused of offences involving alleged safety breaches relating to cladding and fire risks at an Ipswich town centre block of flats has got underway.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday (May 28) was Edward Ottley of Pownall Road, Ipswich who is director and secretary of Home From Home Property Management of Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds.

Ottley and Home From Home Property Management each deny five offences in relation to flats in Wolsey Street, Ipswich.

The charges allege that Ottley and the company failed to comply with fire safety requirements on July 14 2021 which exposed people in the flats to risk of death or serious injury.

The charges state that a fire risk assessment did not sufficiently assess risks to which people in the flats were exposed, including risks from cladding and that the premises weren’t properly fitted with an adequate barrier to stop the spread of the fire.

The charges also allege that an Automatic Opening Vent could not be shown to effectively operate in the event of fire and there was a failure to ensure that residents were aware of the evacuation procedure in the event of fire.

The fifth charge relates to the premises not being equipped with appropriate fire detectors and alarms.

A jury was empanelled at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday and the trial, which is expected to finish by the end of next week, will continue tomorrow ( Wednesday) at Colchester Magistrates Court.

Ottley has chosen to represent himself during the trial.