Grotty utensils, contaminated food and dirty work surfaces - these disgusting images show the state of a filthy Oldham takeaway.
The owner has now been ordered to pay £3,000 after flouting hygiene laws.
Burgerlicious in Oldham was reported to the council by a horrified customer after they saw staff handling raw meat before touching pre-prepared food without washing their hands.
When environmental health officers visited the takeaway, on Greenacres Road, they found utensils covered in solidified grease in a bucket lined with ‘thick black sludge’.
They also found mounds of dumped rubbish outside; filthy scouring pads; vegetables contaminated by meat; and dirty chopping boards during the inspection in May 2015.
Owner Faisal Mahmood, 24, later closed the shop down following a few short months in business.
But he was pursued for two years after missing interviews with council bosses - and skipping court dates.
He was arrested before appearing at Tameside Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to 12 counts of breaching hygiene laws.
Prosecuting on behalf of Oldham council, David Joy said: “Plastic food containers were dirty and stained with food splashes.
“A pizza cutting wheel was heavily contaminated with old encrusted grease and food debris.
“Utensils, including knives, a peeler and a sieve were found in a container lined with thick black sludge. A wrap machine was covered with dirt and grease.
“The green chopping board in use at the time of the inspection was exceptionally dirty.
“In the pizza topping fridge, a large amount of water was pooling on the base of the unit and there was food debris floating around in the stagnant water.
Food was still being stored inside this fridge, including in the ponding water.
“A chest freezer lid was badly cracked and was held together with masking tape and the rear yard of the food business was overflowing with food containers, cardboard boxes, builders’ rubble and approximately 20 black bags filled with waste.”
Mahmood, of Abbeyhills Road, Oldham, represented himself in court.
He did not address magistrates or provide reasons for the state of the takeaway.
Mahmood was fined £800 - and ordered to pay costs of £2,050 and a victim surcharge of £80.
The town hall’s neighbourhoods boss Coun Barbara Brownridge said: “We will not hesitate to take action in cases like these to protect the health and safety of our residents.
“Business owners who run food establishments must comply with food hygiene laws or be prepared to face the consequences.”
