Derby Hippodrome owner pleads guilty to demolishing roof

Published Tuesday 23 February 2010 at 17:55 by Alistair Smith

Derby Hippodrome’s owner Christopher Anthony has pleaded guilty to demolishing part of the Grade-II listed building in 2008.

Derby Hippodrome demolition in March 2008 Photo: Jim Cork

Derby City Council had prosecuted Anthony after he started ‘repair’ work on the building without prior agreement from the local authority as to how the work would be carried out, used inappropriate machinery and failed to get formal listed building consent for the work, which resulted in the partial demolition of the Hippodrome’s roof.

Anthony pleaded guilty to the charges this week at Derby Crown Court. It is understood that the property developer is unlikely to receive a custodial sentence. Sentencing is not expected until April or May and a fine is believed to be the most likely outcome.

Derby City Council has indicated it will attempt to recover its costs from Anthony.

The Derby Hippodrome has been derelict for a number of years having previously served as a bingo hall and, before that, a theatre.