Dudley Takeaway Faces Heavy Fines for Severe Health and Safety Violations
The director and manager of a Dudley takeaway have been ordered to pay a combined total exceeding £7,000 after the business was found to pose a significant risk to public health due to a cockroach infestation, poor cleanliness, and serious gas safety breaches.
Court Hearing Reveals Multiple Failings
Following a hearing at Dudley Magistrates' Court last week, Top UKs Fried Chicken Halal Ltd, based on Wolverhampton Street, was held accountable for numerous violations. The court heard that Dudley Council's environmental health team conducted a routine food hygiene inspection in June 2024, uncovering alarming conditions.
During the inspection, officers discovered that the premises had switched from natural gas to a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply without proper installation certificates. Although the system was temporary, the manager could not demonstrate a safe installation, leading to an immediate voluntary three-day closure.
Persistent Cleanliness Issues and Pest Infestation
Officers also noted poor standards of cleaning during the initial visit and advised a deep clean before reopening. However, a follow-up inspection five days later revealed that conditions had not improved. Evidence of a cockroach infestation was present throughout the premises, with live and dead insects at various stages of development.
Multiple breaches of food hygiene legislation were identified, including:
- Failure to implement a food safety management system
- Inadequate cleaning and maintenance
- Lack of appropriate pest control arrangements
- Food left exposed to contamination
- Hand-wash basins without soap or hygienic drying materials
- Poorly cleaned equipment and damaged wall surfaces
- Food handlers without appropriate training
Emergency Closure and Financial Penalties
Due to the imminent risk to public health, officers exercised emergency powers to formally close the premises. The business remained shut for four weeks while pest eradication and remedial works were completed.
The company's director, Karokh Mohammad Zadeh, 27, of Elm Street, Stoke-on-Trent, was fined £902 for gas safety offences and £601 for food hygiene offences. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £601.20 and £1,394.50 in costs.
Manager Idris Abubakar Mohammad, 35, of Walmer Grove, Birmingham, received fines of £973 for gas offences and £649 for food hygiene offences, along with a victim surcharge of £648.80 and £1,394.50 in costs. No separate penalty was imposed on the limited company itself.
Council's Firm Stance on Public Protection
Following the hearing on March 4, Councillor Phil Atkins, Dudley's cabinet member for development and regulation, emphasized the council's commitment to public safety. "We will never hesitate to act against businesses who disregard their legal responsibilities, and the outcome of this case serves as a clear reminder to all food businesses," he stated.
"Poor cleanliness, a cockroach infestation, and poor gas safety standards meant this business posed a significant risk to public health. Our environmental health officers acted swiftly and decisively to protect the public, and I commend their diligent work."
The case highlights the serious consequences for food businesses that fail to maintain proper hygiene and safety standards, with Dudley Council demonstrating its readiness to take decisive action when public health is at risk.
