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TAKEAWAY OWNER DODGES JAIL OVER HEALTH RISK PREMISES

Published January 22, 2025 By

The owner of a filthy Middlesbrough takeaway that put public health at risk has narrowly avoided a spell behind bars. 

When Environmental Health Officers from Middlesbrough Council’s Public Protection Service carried out a routine hygiene inspection at The Pizza Shop in August, 2023, conditions were so bad that the premises were shut down immediately.

Officers witnessed a rat running up a wall and into the ceiling void, while another was seen through a gap in the ceiling tiles.

There was a strong smell of rat urine in the Linthorpe Road premises, and large numbers of flies in the business’s food storage and preparation areas.

A litany of further breaches of food hygiene regulations included filthy and unhygienic conditions throughout the premises including walls, floors and ceilings and under fittings and equipment, as well as refrigerators and ovens.

Foods - including garlic sauce, cheese, cooked meat and pizza toppings – were found being stored at room temperature, presenting a risk of bacterial growth that could lead to food poisoning.

There was no effective stock control system in place, with rotting food in evidence and an overall lack of food safety management.

Owner Tariq Nazir had a history of low food hygiene ratings ranging from 0 to 2, and inspectors identified an imminent risk to public health three times between  2018 and 2023.

Appearing at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (January 17), Nazir, of Green Lane, Middlesbrough, admitted five breaches of food hygiene regulations.

The 56-year-old was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry our 120 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £2,500 towards court costs and was given a hygiene prohibition order barring him from running any food business for five years.

Councillor Janet Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Middlesbrough’s food businesses are a key part of the town centre economy, but they also have a vital duty to ensure public safety.

“The vast majority take this responsibility very seriously and play their part in a vibrant food scene that has really put Middlesbrough on the map.

“But in extreme cases like this where public health is put at risk, our officers will take immediate action to protect people from potential serious illness and even worse.

“This result is a tribute to their diligent professionalism, and I’m grateful to the courts for delivering the sort of sentence that should act as a powerful deterrent.”

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