A PROPERTY developer and landlord has been handed a £10,000 fine after workers on two sites were put at risk.

Lahrie Mohamed, of Broadwalk, South Woodford, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for health and safety breaches at developments in Chingford and Walthamstow.

He pleaded guilty to breaching regulations on the sites in Chingford Mount Road and Spruce Hills Road.

Mr Mohamed was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,103 after the court heard how, at both sites, he failed to take reasonable steps to ensure work was managed safely.

He also failed to appoint a competent contractor at either site, putting workers and neighbours at risk, City of London magistrates' court was told.

At the Chingford Mount Road site, HSE inspectors ordered workers to down tools as it was so unsafe.

The site is close to a petrol station and open flames were used without fire extinguishers on site.

Inspectors also found that scaffolding was substandard or missing and did not have sufficient guard rails.

They also discovered 240 volt power tools were used where cables were likely to be damaged, risking electrocution and fire.

Domestic quality cables were also run through damp areas.

HSE Construction Inspector Sarah Snelling said: “Mr Mohamed put the lives of the men working on his sites at serious risk by failing to appoint competent contractors to carry out and manage the work.”

She added that Mr Mohamed owns more than 100 properties in and around the borough and should have the knowledge and resources to avoid the breaches.