The neglection of fire safety requirements by the manager of an Ipswich apartment block caused “significant risk to life”, a court has heard.

Edward Ottley, the property director of Home from Home Property Management, is on trial accused of failing to comply with fire safety requirements.

Prosecutor David Claxton told Ipswich Crown Court that evidence given by fire safety assessors of the Ipaxis building on Wolsey Street, Ipswich, had shown Ottley’s “neglection” of requirements had put lives at risk.

Mr Claxton said: “Edward Ottley knew from 2017 combustible cladding was present on the Ipaxis building and the fire risk assessment did not address the cladding.

“A risk assessment that does not address this is obviously not sufficient.”

He added Suffolk Fire and Rescue service told Home from Home this in emails, letters and in person.

“The idea put forward as a defence that he did not act because no one explained what was required is complete nonsense, the jury bundle is full of correspondence explaining what was required.”

Judge David Pugh described each charge to the jury.

Home from Home is accused of five separate fire safety failings and Ottley is accused of five counts of neglect for each instance.    

The principal count is that on July 14, 2021, when an inspection of the building was carried out there was not a suitable risk assessment in place.

The company is also accused of failing to install adequate fire barriers, failing to maintain emergency routes, failing to undertake fire drills and failing to ensure appropriate fire detectors were in place.

Ipswich Star: Otterly has denied the fire safety failings and neglectOtterly has denied the fire safety failings and neglect (Image: Archant)

Ottley, representing himself, has argued all reasonable precautions were taken for each count.

He told the jury in his closing speech his company had done no wrong.

“Has there been any injury, harm or loss? Any malicious intent? Have we gone out of our way to hurt people?

“If not, we are innocent of all charges, and no crime has been committed.”

The defendant did not take the stand during the trial.

Judge Pugh is expected to sum up today (Thursday) before the jury retires for deliberation.