The ‘irresponsible’ owner of a filthy Brixton takeaway that was found to be a serious risk to customers’ health has been slapped with a £7,000 bill.
Amjad S. Hussain, owner of Indian restaurant Spice Hut on Brixton Station Road, pleaded guilty to a series of charges prior to appearing at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on May 22.
Food and grease-smeared walls, floors and work surfaces and inadequately refrigerated food with a potential danger from cross contamination were just some of the discoveries horrified Lambeth Council inspectors made during a visit last year.
Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Jane Edbrooke, said: “The place was filthy and the fact that one of the freezers used to store food on the premises had a door which had come away from its hinges and had dirty, broken seals should have obviously set alarms bells off to staff.
“It was clear that the kitchen had not been cleaned properly for far too long and was served by defective equipment. All of which suggested neglect by the business operator.
“Lambeth council works hard to support business and job creation in the borough, but when business people act irresponsibly in this way we will not hesitate to step in and protect the public.
“I’m glad that in this case the owner acknowledged his poor practise by pleading guilty in court and has pledged to clean up his act.”
Hussain pleaded guilty to a number of charges under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, including operating an unregistered food business and failing to ensure that raw food was kept in such a way as to avoid contamination.
The bench gave Mr Hussain credit for his early guilty plea, but still fined him £6,000 as well as ordering him to pay a £75 victim surcharge and costs of £945, leaving him £7,020 to pay in total.
Lambeth council officers will continue to monitor the premises to ensure food hygiene standards are maintained.
Picture courtesy of secretlondon123, with thanks
