Norwich magistrates fined East Anglian Construction the maximum amount for a string of health and safety breaches following a successful prosecution brought by Norwich City Council.

The company, a subsidiary of Peter Colby Commercials, was fined £30,000 after it pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

The city council was also awarded its full costs of £10,203.

The charges related to two separate occasions in early 2007 and 2008 when employees of the company were carrying out work in Diamond House, Vulcan Road, Norwich - a property owned by Peter Colby Commercials Ltd

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While working on the property employees removed asbestos insulating board tiles from the ceilings - work which the company was not licensed to carry out.

Susan Thomas, a City Council Health and Safety Officer, said: "The magistrates clearly viewed this as a serious breach of the regulations. Six charges in total were laid and the maximum fine available to the court was made in each case.

"These were not trivial health and safety matters and I hope that others who may be thinking of acting in the same way think again. The dangers of working with asbestos are well known and have been for many years and those in control of premises should know what they are dealing with."

(CD)