A Great Yarmouth catering business owner has been prohibited from running a food business in the UK and sentenced to 4 months in jail for 8 charges to run concurrently,  at Norwich Crown Court after what has been described as a blatant disregard for the welfare of its customers. The court recommended  he serve a minimum of 2 months with the rest of the sentence being under license.

A tip-off from a member of the public led Environmental Health Officers from Great Yarmouth Borough Council to visit the Kebabish Kebab Shop, on Hall Quay.

The owner of the business, Ahmet Kara, of 160 London Road South, Lowestoft, pleaded guilty at Norwich Crown Court on 4 May 2007 to nine charges brought under the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006. He returned to Norwich Crown Court of the 24 May to be sentenced.  

"The premises was found to be in a filthy and unhygienic condition and had clearly not been cleaned for a substantial period of time," said Kate Watts, Environmental Health Officer.  

"On attempting to wash their hands officers discovered that there was no water supply to the premises. This meant food could not be washed during preparation, equipment effectively cleaned or food operators wash their hands after using the toilet.  

"The officers found that the toilet was in a filthy, unhygienic and stinking condition as it could not be flushed. On further inspection it was found that beetles were living in the flour bins and flies were found in food containers."  

"Rotten meat was found in the fridges and drains were blocked and stinking.  The officers decided that the premises presented an imminent risk to public health and immediately closed the business using a Food Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice."

"This is one of the worst cases that I have encountered in my career. The business was running with a blatant disregard to the welfare of its customers and presented a substantial public health risk. Environmental Health had no hesitation in immediately closing this business and taking prosecution against the owner as the risks that this premise was presenting were significant, and we are pleased that the outcome has been a successful prosecution."  

Every year approximately 80, 000 people in the United Kingdom are diagnosed with having food poisoning but is has been estimated that the actual number of cases each year is 5.5 million many of which go unreported.  

For further information contact Environmental Health Officer Kate Watts on 01493 846411.