Takeaway Caught in After Hours Sting
Mr Shahid Iqbal, premise licence holder of the Lahori Grill, in Waterloo Street, was caught in a sting operation by the Enforcement Team at East Staffordshire Borough Council that targeted premises in breach of their licensed hours.
Burton Magistrates heard how two undercover Officers carried out a test purchase in the takeaway on October 6th, 2007.
Although the Lahori Grill is licensed to sell hot food until 2.00am on Saturdays, the pair entered the premises at 2.15am and watched a couple being served food.
The Officers bought a portion of chips and left the premises at 2.22am, twenty minutes after the Lahori Grill should have stopped serving.
The Council has a duty to carry out its functions under the Licensing Act 2003 and promote four objectives:
• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children from harm
Councillor Malcolm Barrett, Deputy Leader for Environment, said: "East Staffordshire Borough Council's Enforcement Team are committed to ensuring public safety in our licensed premises.
"This particular premise is in a residential area and breaches of their licence will impact on the neighbouring community.
"We hope the public will be reassured we carry out these initiatives to ensure our Licensed Premises operate in a lawful and compliant manner."
The owner has pleaded guilty to being involved in the management of a food business despite being banned from doing so.
Javed Iqbal, from the Lahori Grill, appeared in front of Burton Magistrates Court on Friday, April 25th charged with an offence under the Food Safety Act 1990 of operating a food business whilst prohibited from doing so.
He was banned from participating in the management of any food business on January 9th, 2002 following prosecution for a number of food hygiene offences at the takeaway in Waterloo Street.
Mr Iqbal pleaded guilty to the charge and the case was adjourned for sentencing on May 22nd, 2008 at Burton Magistrates Court.
Deputy Leader for Health, Environment and Leisure, Malcolm Barrett said: "Our food team work extremely hard to help local businesses comply with the legislation in order to ensure that they produce safe food.
"It is only in extreme circumstances and when warnings have been ignored that we will take formal enforcement action.
"We hope that this case will send a clear message to other food business operators that they must comply with the regulations.
"This is important to ensure that the residents of East Staffordshire are not put at risk by unsafe food".
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