The former proprietor of The Spice of Bengal, 2(a) Portland Road, Aberystwyth pleaded guilty to 10 food hygiene offences before Magistrates at Aberystwyth Justice Centre on Monday 25 July 2016.
Mr Irashadur Rahman, who now resides in Romford, Greater London was answering charges originally made in 2013. An investigation at the restaurant by Environmental Health Officers from Ceredigion County Council’s Lifestyle Services team found a rodent infestation, poor standards of cleaning and unfit food on the premises. Mr Rahman managed the restaurant at this time.
Mr Rahman failed to attend the original hearing at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ in 2013 and was consequently made subject to an arrest warrant. He was arrested in London in June this year (2016) and bailed upon the condition that he attended a hearing at Aberystwyth Justice Centre this week. Magistrates fined Mr Rahman £1000, and he was ordered to pay costs of £1500, as well as pay a victim surcharge of £15, leaving him with a total fine and costs of £2515.
Cabinet member for Lifestyle Services Councillor Rhodri Evans said: “Cases like this underline the importance of the work of our food and safety team and the value of our inspection programme. The food safety team works hard with local businesses to meet and maintain legal food hygiene standards. This is reflected in the very good Food Hygiene Ratings shown on the doors of the majority of food businesses in Ceredigion.”
He adds: “This gives reassurance to the public who live, work and visit Ceredigion that the food they eat is safe and has been prepared hygienically. However, on rare occasions the Council must refer serious cases of hygiene failures such as this, for prosecution to protect public health and the reputation of our excellent hospitality industry who work hard to maintain standards.”
A complaint made to Ceredigion County Council of a fall in standards at the premises in August 2013 led to an immediate spot check by Environmental Health Officers who found evidence of rat droppings, and gnawing in the food store and kitchen of the premises, which was open and trading to the public.
Officers found fresh rodent droppings throughout the food premises, dirty cleaning cloths used on food preparation surfaces, pest infested raw ingredients and mouldy food stored in the fridges, which was up to 37 days beyond its use-by date. Officers also found very poor standards of cleaning at the premises.
Mr Rahman had initially pleaded not guilty to the offences, noting that he was not at the restaurant when the offences were made in 2013. He changed this plea to guilty at the hearing on Monday 25 July.
The Magistrates at the hearing also granted the application of Ceredigion County Council to issue an order prohibiting Mr Rahman from managing or operating any other food business.
Image: Dirty cloth used to clean down food contact surfaces and equipment
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