Kebab shop owner given suspended prison sentence for food hygiene offences
A kebab and pizza takeaway owner, whose shop was closed earlier this year after Swindon Borough Council’s environmental health officers discovered what they described as one of the worst cockroach infestations they had ever seen, has been handed a four-month suspended prison sentence.
Published: Friday, 16th December 2022
Jamal Majed, who ran Baban Restaurant and Takeaway in Manchester Road, appeared before a judge at Swindon Crown Court this morning (16 Dec) after previously pleading guilty to five offences under Regulation 19 of the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
Mr Majed, was ordered to close his premises by magistrates in April after the Council’s environmental health officers made the cockroach infestation discovery following an inspection.
Cockroaches can contaminate surfaces with their excrement and saliva, which contain pathogenic bacteria that can cause food poisoning if the bacteria is transferred onto food, food preparation areas and utensils.
When the infestation was under control, the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was lifted, but the Council’s environmental health team served three Hygiene Improvement Notices (HIN) to ensure Mr Majed carried out further improvements, which he did not comply with,
At an earlier hearing, Swindon Magistrates’ Court was also told that on 17 June 2013 Mr Majed, under an alias of Jamil Rashid Safar, was convicted of 16 offences contrary to the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 and was fined a total of £6,800 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000.
Mr Majed is also a director of the company which owns and runs MJ Kebab & Pizza in Cavendish Square.
Last month, magistrates banned him from operating any food business.
Appearing at the Crown Court for sentencing today Mr Majed was given a four-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
Councillor Cathy Martyn, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Health Inequalities and Housing, said: “The fact our officers found the cockroach infestation was bad enough, but Mr Majed had numerous opportunities to clean up his act, which he ignored.
“I hope this sentencing sends a strong message to all food business owners that we will take action if we find residents’ health is being put at risk.”