THE owner of a Newport takeaway who served up food from filthy kitchens where meat was kept in mouldy fridges and freezers has been banned from running such a business for two years.

Aamir Hassan, owner of the Shahbaz Tikka, in Commercial Road, Pill, was arrested and brought to court after failing to attend previous hearings.

The investigation was prompted following a complaint by a member of the public in June last year.

A Newport City Council spokeswoman said: "When officers visited the premises, they found dirty walls and floors with the cooking area and food preparation areas having a significant accumulation of food debris, charcoal ash and grease across all surfaces.

"Equipment which came into contact with food, such as knives and chopping boards, were dirty and covered in coagulated grease, old food debris and dirt.

"Fridges and freezers used for high risk food were also dirty and covered in mould.

"Hassan had also failed to provide sanitiser, disinfectant or other suitable cleaning chemicals at the premises and cleaning equipment such as clothes, brushes and mops were also all found to be dirty.

"Overall the premises were substantially below the basic requirements of the food hygiene law."

After hearing about the disgusting state of the premises and Hassan’s failure to maintain basic standards of cleanliness magistrates made the decision to impose a Hygiene Prohibition Order, which prevents Hassan from managing a food business for two years.

Hassan, 29, of Glebe Street, was also fined a total of £1,400 after pleading guilty to seven food hygiene offences when he appeared at Newport Magistrates Court on Wednesday, January 11.

Hewas also ordered to pay Newport City Council’s costs of £1,450 and a £30 victim surcharge.

The business has now closed.

Councillor Bob Poole, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Functions said he was horrified by Hassan’s flagrant breaching of hygiene rules and praised environmental health officers for their investigation which saw the food premises owner brought to court.

He said: “This is a very serious breach of food hygiene regulations and it is right that magistrates who considered the case to be so disturbing, that they made the rare decision to impose the ban on Hassan.

“We hope this case sends out a message to everyone across the city involved in running premises serving food to the public that we will continue to carry out investigations where people are worried such businesses are failing in their duty of care".