Two operators of the Red Sea restaurant at The Green in Southall were this week given suspended prison sentences for running the business in a ‘utterly unsafe’ manner.

Mohamud Adam and Abdinasir Ali were each sentenced to 8 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. They were also sentenced to a twelve-hour curfew for a four month period and ordered to pay a contribution towards legal costs of £1,200.

When the restaurant was inspected by council officers it was found in ‘a simply dreadful state’, with rat droppings throughout the cooking and public areas, accumulated filth on switches and taps and a filthy food mixer.

The judge told the court it was only because there were no reports of illness to the public that an immediate imprisonment term was not given.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety said: "People running food businesses take on a heavy responsibility and if that responsibility is shirked, as it was in these cases, the public are put in danger."

"Local residents have every right to expect an appropriate standard is maintained and the council is active in uncovering and prosecuting cases where this standard is not met."

"I hope that the case of the Red Sea restaurant serves as a warning to any businesses putting the public’s health in jeopardy that they risk going to prison."