Former Italian takeaway operator from Skegness banned and fined nearly £3k

Mr Poitr Stefenek was taken to court by East Lindsey District Council and ordered to pay £2,906.37 and banned from being a food business operator.

The Council’s Environmental team first inspected the premises, formerly , in December 2018 which resulted in three food hygiene improvement notices and one health and safety improvement notice for unclean food preparation areas and fridges, and electrical hazards.

However, Mr Stefenek failed to comply with these notices as conditions had deteriorated on the next visit in April 2019, and legal proceedings were initiated.

On being invited for an interview under caution, it was found Mr Stefenek had ceased trading and had left the premises.

Due to the seriousness of the offences and the long standing nature of the non-compliance with food hygiene standards, the decision was taken to pursue the matter with a view to preventing Mr Stefenek from operating again by requesting a court order to prohibit him from running any further food businesses.

After several attendances at Boston Magistrates Court, Mr Stefenek pleaded guilty to all matters and the court imposed a suspended sentence of 24 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months and he was given a victim surcharge of £115 and ordered to pay costs of £2791.37, a total of £2906.37 for the health and safety offences.

The court also put in place an order prohibiting him from being a food business operator unless and until such time as he could satisfy a court that he is a fit and proper person to take on that role.

The premises has since been refurbished by the landlord and is now operated by a new food business operator, and has been awarded a food Hygiene rating of 4.

Portfolio Holder for Operational Services, Councillor Martin Foster, said, “Due to the seriousness of the offences found in this premises, it was important that although this individual had left the premises that he was not able to commit the same offences elsewhere. The Council will continue to pursue offenders for offences committed at the time they are running a business, even if they leave. It is through the hard work and commitment of the Environmental Health Team that this case has a successful outcome.”