A takeaway boss who ran a business so filthy it was rampant with rats, mice and cockroaches has been banned from owning any food business for life.
Nzar Hassan was hauled into court after hygiene inspectors found cockroaches scurrying across kitchen surfaces, mouse droppings near a fridge and three rats jumping out of a bin during a series of inspections.
Some cockroaches were even found dead or dying at the premises.
Hassan, 47, a married father of four had claimed his Montana Fried Chicken shop in Oldham, Greater Manchester which makes, fried chicken, burgers and pizzas had a "Five star" hygiene rating.
But environment health officials were forced to shut it down after shocked officers uncovered "appalling" conditions behind the counter with one using spray herself in a bid to kill off some of the cockroaches.
It emerged Hassan had previously been convicted of hygiene offences in 2019 after more cockroaches, mouse droppings, food debris and thick grease were found at the premises.
At the time he told his local newspaper: "The shop is very, very different now. I have a new team and a new manager. Our customers know that our takeaway is clean."
At Tameside magistrates court, Hassan, from Crumpsall, Manchester pleaded guilty to 14 food safety and hygiene offences and a 15th offence of misleading customers by displaying false information.
He was fined £2,769 and banned him from ever operating a food business again under the terms of a prohibition order. He was also ordered to pay Oldham Council's costs of £1,175 and a victim surcharge of £196.
His company Montana Fried Chicken Ltd was fined £25,000 but the court heard the firm has since gone into liquidation and it's unlikely the fine will be ever paid.
The takeaway is now under the control of new owners.
The court heard three inspections of the takeaway on Yorkshire Street took place between December 2021 and February 2022.
In mitigation for Hassan defence barrister Amar Alyas said: "Mr Hassan is very remorseful and is very sorry to the court for what has happened to his business at the time.
"He was not actually running the business at the time as he was suffering from a stomach operation which involved him being at home. He was basically bed bound for at least three to six months.
"He was also suffering from Covid and was in hospital as well. He says the business was being run by a manager who was employed to take care of the business and manage the issues that had arisen. On March 1, 2022, he gave the business away for nothing because he was in rent arrears. Also, the business was collapsing therefore he had to give the business away at a loss.
"He is now working at a cash and carry as a driver earning just over £1,000 per month and is simply just surviving in terms of living expenses. It is very unfortunate, he is sorry and he holds his hands up. He has no intention of running a food business, on principle."
Sentencing Hassan JP Stephen Flaherty told him: "People expect their food to be prepared hygienically. It would not be in the interests of the people of Oldham or anywhere else for that matter for you to run a food business again.
"We were absolutely appalled by what we heard today and we hope that you yourself are also appalled."
