HARPAL Singh, the landlord at the centre of a fatal accident inquiry involving two students who died in one of his flats, was fined #500 yesterday for failing to install safety equipment in a neighbouring property.
Singh, 47, a landlord for 25 years, pled guilty to three counts of failing to equip the flat in Melrose Street, Glasgow, with fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire doors.
A second charge of failing to register a property in Bridge Street, Glasgow, with the city council's multiple occupancy scheme was dropped.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how the people living in the Melrose Street flat - one of more than 20 properties owned by Singh - could have faced death in the event of a fire.
James Fraser, 20, of Balmaha, and Daniel Heron, of Kippen, also 20, died when a fire broke out in a neighbouring property owned by Singh on March 4, 1999.
A fatal accident inquiry in September heard how the windows of the basement flat had bars on them and there was only one smoke detector, which had been dismantled and had no batteries.
Singh, of Monreith Road, Newlands, sat in court with his head bowed during the 10-minute hearing. Advocate Derek Hughes said his client could not afford to pay the #500 fine immediately, despite an earlier admission that he earned #30,000 a year as a landlord.
Mr Hughes said Singh was sorry for not complying with safety regulations, and added: ''My client is of previous good character. But he feels that he has been the victim of an overzealous investigation by Glasgow City Council. He did a lot of work to the flat and was planning to continue doing so.''
Sheriff Charles MacFarlane agreed that Singh could pay the fine over a two-month period because his business was currently making a loss.
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