Bengal Spice restaurant was a 'death trap' says judge...

[dutchman]

Suspended jail sentences for couple who ran Corporation Street restaurant and breached fire safety regulations



A greedy couple ran a “death trap” curry house in Coventry, putting profits before safety, a court heard.

An inspection of the Bengal Spice restaurant in Corporation Street revealed a catalogue of fire safety breaches.

The fire alarm system was in a state of disrepair, the fire extinguisher had not been tested for six years and fire doors had been locked open.

On the second floor, which was being used for accommodation, there were no smoke detectors, fire alarms or even electricity.

Mohammed Uddin and Monowara Begum, who both ran the restaurant, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court in Leamington to 12 charges of breaching fire regulations.

Uddin, aged 48, and Begum, aged 38, both of Stoney Stanton Road, Foleshill, also admitted two more serious charges of failing to comply with a prohibition notice issued after the inspection which restricted the use of the first, second and third floors.

Uddin, who it was said had primary responsibility for the offences, was sentenced to eight months in prison – which the judge suspended because of his poor health.

But he was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid works and pay the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service’s prosecution costs of £12,235.50 within six months.

Begum, who owned the restaurant which was managed by her husband, was jailed for three months, suspended for two years.

Sentencing the couple, Judge Alan Parker told them: “These premises were a fire trap and, in the words of the prosecution, a death trap.

“You showed a complete disregard for the enforcement notice, an arrogant and callous disregard.

“You Mr Uddin were entirely willing to place people at risk of death merely so you could enrich yourself.”

Tariq Shakoor, defending, said that Bengal Spice had been trading at a loss, and one of the couple’s children had taken over its running, while Uddin now works as a chef.

“The blame in all of this seems to be shifted largely towards Mr Uddin, and it does seem to be a very sorry state of affairs which paints a potentially dangerous picture.

“But Mr Uddin had serious health problems in the year building up to this and had suffered heart attacks in 2010 and 2011,” said Mr Shakoor, who added that Begum was not culpable to the same degree as Uddin.

[rebbonk]

So they got away with it then! These judges will never learn.

[dutchman]

Indeed Rebbonk...

Curry house fined more than £3k after serving up beef instead of lamb

A curry house manager has been fined after serving up lamb balti that was 100 per cent beef.

Mohammed Uddin, manager of New Bengal Spice Restaurant in Coventry appeared at Coventry Magistrates Court on May 24.

Uddin, 52, of Stoney Stanton Road, appeared alongside the limited company than ran the restaurant in Corporation Street, in the city centre.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Uddin was fined £256, ordered to pay £706 in costs and £30 victim charge.

The company which has been running New Bengal Spice was fined £2,000, ordered to pay £1,000 and a £170 victim surcharge.

Magistrates heard that after the officers had bought the meal and revealed who they were, Mr Uddin admitted that he thought the meat was mutton instead of lamb, but a DNA test revealed the meat was beef and there were no traces of either mutton or lamb.

Speaking after the hearing, Allan Harwood, the city council’s trading standards and consumer protection manager, said: “Customers have a right to be confident that the food they buy is as described.

“The substitution of meat products is entirely unacceptable and unfair to those businesses that play by the rules.

“It is often surprising that customers cannot tell the difference, however, in a curry they may rely more on texture than taste.

“Trading Standards play a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the food chain and will continue to take action to ensure that this is not undermined.”

Anyone who is worried about the accuracy of food descriptions can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040 506.

[rebbonk]

When I read that story earlier I thought the names were familiar.