Former Middleton Road takeaway owner fined after mouse droppings were found

Tameside Magistrates Court

Former Oldham takeaway owner fined after mouse droppings were found

The former owner of a dirty takeaway in Oldham has been arrested, appeared in court and fined all in the space of just a few hours.

Abdul Aziz, 37, was arrested on Thursday, March 31, as part of Greater Manchester Police’s Operation AVRO, an initiative to try and tackle crimes, individuals and anti-social behaviour.

Aziz was wanted after Environmental Health officers called at Aliyah Shakes, on Middleton Road, Oldham as part of a routine food hygiene visit back in 2019.

They found the premises and equipment were not being kept in a clean condition.

Mouse droppings were found throughout the premises and there were no adequate procedures in place to control pests, despite the shop being open for business.

Aziz, of Middleton Road was summonsed to court but never appeared.

Following his arrest on a warrant, he was taken to Tameside Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to four charges under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, Regulation 19.

The 37-year-old was fined a total of £240, with a £32 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £1,475.

Emma Barton, Executive Director for Place and Economic Growth, said: “As a council we are here to ensure premises that sell food to residents are clean and are operating within the law.

“Sadly, a small percentage of business owners are not keeping their premises clean and safe. We will continue to visit premises and take action against those who break the law.”