DINERS and staff at a Newton Abbot restaurant had their lives put in danger after the premises were checked by an inadequately-qualified fire risk assessor, magistrates heard.

Private operator Craig Stonelake, from Kingsteignton, was fined £900 for two offences and ordered to pay costs of £6,423.50 and a victim surcharge of £60.

He admitted failing to provide an adequate risk assessment for The Naz Restaurant in Queen Street which would have placed 'one or more relevant persons at risk of death or serious injury in case of fire'.