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Burns victim in legal action for £2m from landlord

BBC Reviewed Jul 3, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Ms Skalli started a £2m legal action against her former landlord.

2 £ · legal action , victim

Layla Skalli suffered 80% burns during a fire in Norwich in April 2009.

80 % · burns , victim

Michael Billings was jailed for 30 months on 7 May after admitting 14 breaches of health and fire safety law.

30 months · jail sentence14 · breaches , defendant

Ms Skalli's lawyers asked the High Court to continue an order freezing £2m of Mr Billings' assets.

2 £ · freezing order Ms Skalli's lawyers, lawyers

Ms Skalli's lawyers claim a £1.6m damages payout plus £400k interest.

1.6 £ · damages payout400 £ · interest Ms Skalli's lawyers, lawyers

A Norfolk woman left with severe burns in a flat fire has started a £2m legal action against her former landlord.

Layla Skalli, 20, suffered 80% burns during a fire in Norwich in April 2009.

Michael Billings, 55, from Barsham, near Beccles, was jailed for 30 months on 7 May when he admitted 14 breaches of health and fire safety law.

Ms Skalli's lawyers asked the High Court earlier to continue an order "freezing" £2m of Mr Billing's assets the claimant wants as compensation.

Mr Billings is disputing both liability and the amount of compensation.

Ms Skalli's lawyers said her injuries and their effects should result in a £1.6m damages pay-out, plus interest of £400,000.

Judge Thornton QC extended the order but no case has been fixed for the full hearing.

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