A FORMER owner of a filthy takeaway has been prosecuted – almost three years after his premises were inspected by Environmental Health.

Inspectors found dirty and stained plastic food containers, kitchen utensils stored in a container lined with thick black sludge and food debris floating in stagnant water when they visited Burgerlicious on May 18, 2015.

The Greenacres Road takeaway also had a chest freezer with a cracked lid being held together with masking tape while the rear yard of the food business was overflowing with food containers, cardboard boxes, builders’ rubble and approximately 20 black bags filled with waste.

Utensils, including knives, a peeler and a sieve were found in a container lined with thick black sludge and A wrap machine was covered with dirt and grease.

The green chopping board in use at the time of the inspection was exceptionally dirty while a pizza cutting wheel was heavily contaminated with old encrusted grease and food debris.

In the pizza topping fridge, which was still being used to store food, there was a large amount of water pooling on the base with food debris floating around in the stagnant water.

Former owner Faisal Mahmood, of Abbeyhills Road, Oldham, failed to turn up for an interview under caution and his court date.

A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was arrested last year and bailed.

On February 7, 2018, he pleaded guilty to breaching 12 food hygiene laws at Tameside Magistrates’ Court.

Mahmood, who no longer owns the business or has any involvement in it, was fined a total of £800, plus a victim surcharge of £80 and ordered to pay the council costs of £2,050.

The premises closed as a takeaway and has recently reopened as a shop.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “As this court case shows Oldham Council takes matters like this very seriously.

“We are committed to dealing with serious lapses in food hygiene.

“We will not hesitate to take action in cases like these to protect the health and safety of our residents.

“Business owners who run food establishments must comply with food hygiene laws or be prepared to face the consequences.”

Members of the public can check food businesses current food hygiene ratings at http://ratings.food.gov.uk/