AN east Hull takeaway owner has narrowly avoided jail for a string of food hygiene offences and trading under a false name. Environmental officers from Hull City Council found Latino's, on Southcoates Lane, in a dirty state with no hot water. But instead of complying with the officers' requirements, Gholam Reza Parviz tried to evade the authorities by changing his name to suggest the takeaway was under new ownership.
The council, Humberside Police and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) joined forces to prosecute Parviz for food hygiene offences, benefit fraud and perverting the course of justice. Parviz, who currently runs Valencia takeaway, on Preston Road, east Hull, appeared at Hull Crown Court to face a number of charges relating to his time operating Latino's.
Parviz pleaded guilty to eight separate charges of food safety breaches, as well as breaching an Emergency Closure Notice for Latino's, issued by environmental health officers because he had no hot water. Officers found the premises and equipment were dirty, wall and floor surfaces were in a poor condition and there was no documented food safety management system in place. Suitable and clean protective over-clothing was also not being worn by staff.
Humberside Police also charged him with intention to pervert the course of justice, as Parviz claimed he was Mir Ali Mousavi while running Latino's.
Parviz appeared at Hull Crown Court last month to face the food hygiene charges and intention to pervert the course of justice charge. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 months in jail, suspended for two years.
Paul Turner, principal environmental health officer at the city council, said: "Parviz showed a disregard for the law. All he needed to do was fix the boiler, have a really good clean and throw out a few cloths.
"He could have been open the next day but he delayed matters and thought we wouldn't keep an eye on the place. The law gives us all sorts of powers to deal with this kind of disregard.
"I guess he gave a false name to try and throw us off the scent and as some diversionary tactic but his web of lies quickly untangled. This ended up being a very serious case indeed."
Mr Turner revealed Paviz could easily have lost his livelihood. He said: "We suggested to the court that it issues a Prohibition of Persons Order to prevent Parviz trading. They are very rare but they are issued in exceptional circumstances. We felt this was one such circumstances but the court decided not to grant it on this occasion."
Investigators from the council and the DWP found Parviz had also failed to declare he had started running Valencia Bay takeaway, also on Preston Road, and was receiving an income. Parviz pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to declare a change in his circumstances, which resulted in overpayments of council tax benefit and income support totalling £9397.28.
Parviz appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court for the benefit fraud and was given a conditional discharge, in addition to having to pay back every penny fraudulently taken. The Latino's premises is now under new ownership under the name New Pizza Corner, which has no connection to Parviz.
Hull City Councillor John Hewitt, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and communities, said: "All these offences were of a serious nature and the food safety breaches posed a risk to the public.
By working together and conducting joint investigations, Hull City Council, DWP and Humberside Police have successfully prosecuted on all charges.
We continue to work closely with businesses to make sure health and safety standards are met and provide businesses with advice as to where they can make improvements, as well as prosecute where necessary."
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