Environmental health officers find filthy conditions at Redcar takeway 'Mario's'

A takeaway boss has been ordered to pay £1,800 after environmental health officers found filthy conditions in his kitchen and food storage equipment by a toilet.

Mohammed El Sayed admitted seven offences under the Food Hygiene Regulations concerning his former business, Mario’s in Redcar High Street.

The 35-year-old appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday following an investigation by Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Janine Morgan, who prosecuted the case for the council, told magistrates that officers used emergency powers to close the business and protect the public.

She said that during an inspection on January 13 last year, environmental health officers found a pizza tray stand stored next to a toilet.

Pizza ovens, fryers and a kebab spit were filthy, food was being stored on the floor and there was no soap for employees to wash their hands or disinfectant materials present, she said.

El Sayed admitted: failing to keep the premises and equipment clean and in good repair; failing to protect food from contamination risks; failing to effectively train food handlers; failing to maintain adequate personal hygiene standards; and having no food safety management procedures in place.

In mitigation the court heard that El Sayed, of Breckon Road, Middlesbrough, was struggling financially and earned very little but he accepted responsibility for the offences.

Taking his circumstances into consideration he was fined £160 for each offence, and was also told to pay £600 towards the council’s costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Mario’s closed permanently in June 2013 and it is understood that the shop is being refurbished for new tenants.

Speaking after the hearing Steve Goldswain, the council’s Cabinet member for community safety, said: “This case underlines how seriously we take any flouting of food hygiene laws. The health of the public is always of paramount importance and any establishments operating in unclean environments will be dealt with effectively.

“Our officers will continue to do all they can to protect public health when visiting and inspecting food premises.”