£25k fine for filthy takeaway

THE boss of a mouse-infested takeaway has been fined £25,000 - after being greeted with 'happy birthday to you' by magistrates. Adeel Nawaz from the Kashmir King takeaway in Whalley Range, Manchester, appeared in the dock on his 22nd birthday after pleading guilty to 10 breaches of food hygiene rules and two health and safety offences at an earlier hearing.

As well as the fine, Manchester magistrates also ordered him to pay £2,010 costs. He was given 28 days to pay.But he looked stunned after hearing the court's verdict, and said: "How can I pay? I've got no money to pay." Magistrates were told the Upper Chorlton Road takeaway which Nawaz runs for his father, was infested.Barbara Gora, prosecuting for Manchester council, said officers inspected on February 27 after a complaint.She said: "Inspections of the premises revealed serious food hygiene contraventions and health and safety concerns included an active and extensive infestation of mice throughout the premises."Mouse droppings were found on shelves and floor, on an oven-roasting tray and next to an open container of pizza dough. A sack of rice in the cellar was also found to be `severely contaminated' with mouse droppings and urine.

The staff toilet was also found to be 'grossly dirty' and a drinks refrigerator, the tandoori oven and sink were 'dirty and greasy'.Inspectors also found a number of electrical defects that `presented a risk of electrocution', as well asa 'very greasy' step at the rear of the takeaway.Nawaz, of Bedford Avenue, Whalley Range, told the officers he was running the takeaway for his father Mohammed Nawaz, who was abroad. His records revealed the premises had been treated for cockroaches on January 10. Work to improve the step had been completed by April, but some cleaning and electrical repairs were still outstanding.Miss Gora said: "Profits should not be put before risk to public health." Nawaz, who represented himself in court, said: "It's not like that any more."Trevor Cunliffe, chairman of the bench, told Nawaz the offences were 'very serious' and had put public health at risk.He said the likelihood of someone having an accident at the takeaway was like 'a bomb waiting to go off''. He added: "I feel sorry for you. I feel your father should be where you are."

other storys here.