The penalties were handed down after failures to comply with safety enforcement notices and maintain safe working practices.
Vasilis Paraskeva and his London-based firm, VNP Constructions Limited, were the appointed contractor for a project converting a former public house and adjoining building into residential flats on White Lion Street, London.
During a site visit on Thursday, September 1, 2022, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors identified multiple safety breaches, including inadequate management and work at height risks.
Prohibition and Improvement Notices were issued on site.
Further inspections over the following year revealed ongoing non-compliance and additional breaches, leading to more enforcement action.
An HSE investigation found that both Mr Paraskeva and the company had failed to meet the requirements of several enforcement notices and had not ensured safe working conditions.
In court, VNP Constructions Limited, based on Kings Avenue in Winchmore Hill, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
It also admitted to two counts of failing to comply with a Prohibition Notice under Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1971.
The company was fined £7,200 and ordered to pay £900 in costs.
Mr Paraskeva pleaded guilty to three offences on the basis that the company’s breaches were committed with his consent or connivance or were attributable to his neglect, under Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
He was fined £10,800 and also ordered to pay £900 in costs at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Andrew Pipe, an HSE inspector, said: “These fines should send a clear message to the construction industry that HSE and the courts take failure to comply with enforcement notices extremely seriously.
“HSE will not hesitate to take action against companies and individuals who fail to keep people safe.”
The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds and paralegal officer Melissa Wardle.
Employers are reminded that comprehensive guidance on managing health and safety in construction is available from the HSE website.
