07 November 2023 , 13:07
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The former boss of a takeaway so dirty that mice were feasting on the grease has been slapped with a fine of over £2,000 after droppings were discovered all over his restaurant.
Syed Sadek Ahmed, 52, listed in court documents as the former "manager" of Nandini Restaurant on Manchester Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester, appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to seven food safety and hygiene offences. Ahmed, from Cheviot Avenue, Oldham, was taken to court when food hygiene inspectors found his takeaway littered with mouse droppings during two inspections last year.
Prosecutor Sumayya Rawat told the court that an environmental health officer from Oldham Council first visited Nandini Restaurant on July 26. She introduced herself to the staff and immediately went to wash her hands in the kitchen, only to find there was no soap or drying facilities. It was then she spotted mouse droppings throughout the kitchen - including on shelves, floors, next to food, and on food preparation equipment.
He appeared at Tameside Magistrates' Court (Manchester Evening News)Droppings were also found in a container used for checking food temperature with a probe thermometer. The officer also discovered a hole in the wall through which pests could enter, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The inspector found the restaurant's floor, plate warmer, and storage units to be "dirty". The floor was damaged in places and could not be cleaned properly. The ceiling was also damaged, as was the fridge seal.
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The officer noticed that the shelves were covered with cardboard, making them impossible to clean and a potential breeding ground for bacteria. The chopping boards were worn out and could not be cleaned properly.
Ahmed was told his business would have to close due to the infestation. The next day, another health officer visited the restaurant and found it had been thoroughly cleaned with no mouse droppings in sight. Ahmed was allowed to reopen his restaurant and requested a re-rating inspection.
On August 22, during a visit, an environmental health officer once again found mouse droppings and dirt everywhere. The officer discovered a hole in the floor that had not been filled, and mice were feasting on the grease build-up in the restaurant. The restaurant was closed again and is currently being dissolved.
Sheik Amin, Ahmed's solicitor, told the court that his client had "struggled" to find work as a self-employed taxi driver during the Covid pandemic. He opened the restaurant in 2021 for himself and his family.
The business initially "did well", but Ahmed suffered a heart attack in 2022 and was left with "significant health issues". He also had to deal with "struggles" with staff and staff shortages. Mr Amin said Ahmed has now "surrendered the lease and lost a lot of money", and the business has no assets, with all the fixtures and fittings owned by the landlord.
Mr Amin told the court about Ahmed: "He is very remorseful and very ashamed to be appearing in court today. In 52 years he has never appeared before the court or been arrested. The proceedings have had a detrimental impact on him and his family." He added that Ahmed had agreed to cover the full cost of the proceedings to show his remorse.
The chairman of the bench Sheila Levell noted Ashmed's guilty plea and fined him £401, ordered him to pay contribution costs of £1,587, plus a victim surge of £160, making a total of £2,148. The company was also fined a nominal fee of £250.
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