The owner and manager of a takeaway, Kasim Ali Ahmed, pleaded guilty to 12 food hygiene offences committed at Harveys Chicken and Pizza in Kirkham. He was given a six-month custodial sentence on 6 April 2018 at Preston Crown Court.

The offences included persistent levels of poor cleanliness, poor maintenance of the premises, and the sale of unfit and rotten food, including meat. The takeaway was described in court as “squalid” and “in a revolting condition”.

Since July 2016, Environmental Health Officers from Fylde Council had worked with Mr Ahmed to improve the conditions of the takeaway. However, Mr Ahmed was described as being “obstructive” throughout the Council’s involvement with him. In March 2017, Environmental Health Officers issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice in respect of the takeaway in order to protect public health.

This case is the latest example of the change in approach by the Courts when sentencing food business operators for food safety and hygiene offences.  Custodial sentences are now a real risk in certain categories of case at the most serious end of the sentencing scale.

If you or your business are faced with an investigation for breaching food safety or food hygiene regulations, call our specialist Regulatory and Licensing Partner, James Lowe, on 07833 240400 for advice and assistance.