A YARD run by a top equestrian rider has been dubbed as ‘so dangerous’ by safety inspectors after she was fined for breaching fire safety legislation.

‘Izzy’ Taylor, 40, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday (January 2) for four charges under the fire safety legislation at her yard near Bicester.

Oxfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service discovered the issues after a fire in her tack room Aldershot Farm, Bucknell, in October 2020.

Read the full sentencing here: Top British eventing rider avoids jail after fire risks at Oxfordshire yard

Officers found Taylor had failed to ensure there was an adequate risk assessment of fire, failed to protect escape routes in case of fire, and failed to provide a working fire alarm and detection system.

The equestrian yard was operating on the ground floor and had two flats provided for staff accommodation above on the first floor.

However, inspectors found that the premises were ‘so dangerous’ that they were left with no alternative but to prohibit the use of the building for sleeping until safety measures were improved.

Consequently, they ordered the immediate removal of the occupants of the flats on safety grounds by use of a prohibition notice, so that it could not to be used for sleeping.

READ MORE: Scales of Justice: The latest cases from Oxford Magistrates' Court

But a further inspection in December 2022 by Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, found Taylor was found to be in breach of this prohibition notice due to staff still being allowed to sleep in the building.

Judge Ian Pringle sentenced her to a two-year conditional discharge and a £5,000 fine. There were also court costs of £4869.50.

Councillor Dr Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “Our fire safety inspectors are finding an increasing number of businesses with sleeping accommodation above, where no fire safety measures have been implemented. Business owners have a legal duty to put fire safety measures in place, and as this case shows, we will not hesitate to take action to ensure the safety of occupants, residents and customers.”

During the sentencing, the court heard that Taylor plans to vacate the yard by the end of March due to an accident in August last year which saw seven of her ribs broken.

As a result, she wants to work on a smaller yard, focusing on the ‘quality of the horses and the rides’.

READ MORE: Are too few paedophiles being sent to prison?

The cost of the remedial work needed to make the yard safe would have been between £10,000 and £15,000.

It is likely the premises will be knocked down as planning permission is being sought to rebuild on the land.

Judge Pringle noted that her decision to move yards was a ‘sensible one’.