Press Releases
Filthy Sri Lankan takeaway dished £5,600 penalty (PR 905)
A dirty and rat-infested take away in Perivale has been slapped with a £3,000 fine and ordered to pay £2,600 court costs after failing to heed the warnings of Ealing Council’s environmental health team.
Council officers successfully prosecuted KT Colombo Taste, in Bilton Road, at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday (15 January), after finding serious hygiene problems - including rat and cockroach infestations - during an inspection in July last year.
The take away and catering business, run by Kanagaratnam Thivakaran, was found to have a history of non-compliance and failing to work with council officers.
Councillor Will Brooks, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “This business is a disgrace to the borough and the successful prosecution is an excellent result for our environmental health officers.
“Despite many warnings, this filthy business continued to serve
up food prepared in revolting conditions and refused to work with
council officers to clean up its act.
"We will not hesitate to crack down on businesses that so
blatantly flout the law and put public health and safety at
risk.
“We are totally committed to protecting residents and ensuring they get the safe and high quality food they deserve.”
The court heard of eight major contraventions, including failure to have a food safety management system, no hygiene training for staff, inadequate records, dirty, greasy conditions and a major infestation of rats (which had access to the rear storage area where food was left to cool).
A disused oven in the kitchen was infested by young cockroaches and the business had no soap or other products for staff to hygienically clean and dry their hands after using the toilet.
The court was also shown various photographs of conditions at the premises.
Mr Thivakaran pleaded guilty and was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £2,600 costs.
At sentencing, the Judge described the shop as “pretty disgusting” and said he was thankful the conditions had not resulted in more serious consequences.
Council officers have also served Mr Thivakaran with hygiene improvement notices, requiring him to attend food hygiene training, establish a documented food safety management system and clean up the premises. Failure to comply could result in a second prosecution. Officers will continue to visit the premises frequently.
This prosecution and the ongoing work of the environmental health team contributes to the council’s priorities of safer communities and cleaner streets. The council’s third priority is providing value for money services.
Notes for Editors:
KT Colombo Taste is located at 5 Bilton Road, Perivale, UB6
7AY.