News / Dirty Delight
THE OWNER of a kebab house in Lerwick has pledged to keep his business going after falling foul of local environmental health officers.
On Wednesday at Lerwick Sheriff Court 49 year old Saban Kusmus pled guilty to nine charges of breaching food hygiene regulations at his Turkish Delight takeaway on Harbour Street.
The breaches, which took place between August last year and January this year, included failing to provide adequate and clean facilities and equipment, and keeping the premises in a well maintained condition.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Shetland Islands Council’s environmental health officers had been “very proactive” in helping Kusmus meet his obligations, but had been faced with a “complete lack of cooperation”.
“He has had training in the past, so it’s clearly a positive choice on his part to operate dirty and unhygienic premises,” Mackenzie said.
“These are basic food hygiene failings, they are significant and they do constitute a very real threat to public health.”
However defence agent Tommy Allan said Kusmus had not been in charge of the business for much of the time the charges relate to, having been in hospital with heart problems and visiting his sick mother in Turkey.
He also denied his client had been obstructive, saying he was now working with environmental health officers and had made many of the improvements they requested.
“His position is that his business is something he is proud of. He is aware that by pleading guilty he will attract negative publicity, which is bound to have an effect on his business.
“Mr Kusmus is committed to running the shop and to keeping the business going with his son as an addition to the variety of cuisine that’s offered in Shetland.
“He realises he will only be allowed to continue if he can satisfy environmental health that he’s doing this safely.”
Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 24 January by when he hopes to receive a report from the council about the level of risk the offences posed.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
