Two takeaway owners have been found guilty of killing a 15-year-old girl who suffered an allergic reaction to her fast food meal.
Megan Lee died after eating food that contained nuts from the Royal Spice Takeaway in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire.
Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 40, and Harun Rashid, 38, were found guilty at Manchester Crown Court of manslaughter by gross negligence.
The jury of eight men and four women took about six hours of deliberations to reach their verdicts.
Triple amputee's journey to becoming gold medallist swimmer
The court heard how her friend wrote prawns, nuts in the comments and notes section when ordering food through Just Eat, but the meal she was served was later found to have the widespread presence of peanut protein.
Megan had an immediate reaction to a kebab and died two days later, on 1 January, 2017, after suffering irreversible brain damage from a later asthma attack – a police inquiry was launched and later on 6 January.
The takeaways owner, Kuddus and Rashid – alleged to be the manager, denied the charges.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, told the court her death was a disaster waiting to happen.
It was alleged there was a litany of failings in the kitchen, including poor hygiene and no records of ingredients kept.
Giving evidence, Rashid denied he was the manager of the restaurant and claimed he was merely a delivery driver at the time.
Kuddus, who is said to not speak English, chose not to give evidence during trial.
Landlord bans vegans from applying because he doesn't want to share kitchen with them
Simon Myerson QC, defending Kuddus, said Megans death was unpredictable and could not have been foreseen.
Judge Mrs Justice Yip told jurors they would have to consider whether the note on the order was sufficient to mean Megans allergy was declared.
She said: It is a matter of interpretation, and so a matter for you, whether that was enough to put the business on notice of Megans allergy to nuts.
Kuddus, of Belper Street, Blackburn, has admitted a count of failing to discharge a general duty of employers, contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act, and another count of failing to put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures in contravention of European Union food safety regulations.
Advertisement
Advertisement
He also entered guilty pleas to the same offences on behalf of Royal Spice Takeaway Limited, trading as Royal Spice.
Rashid, of Rudd Street, Haslingden, has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
This is a breaking news story… more to follow.
Advertisement
Advertisement
[contf]
[contfnew]
METRO
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
