Takeaway bosses guilty of manslaughter over nut allergy death of girl, 15

Harun Rashid, 38, and Mohammed Kuddus, 40, have been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence
Danny Lawson/PA
James Morris26 October 2018

Two takeaway bosses are facing jail after a teenage girl died from an allergic reaction.

Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 40, and Harun Rashid, 38, were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of 15-year-old Megan Lee, who had a nut allergy.

Megan’s friend had ordered food from the Royal Spice takeaway in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, through Just Eat and wrote “prawns, nuts” in the comments section.

The Manchester Crown Court jury had been asked to consider whether the notes on the order were sufficient to mean Megan’s allergy was declared – and it came to a guilty verdict on Friday.

Judge Mrs Justice Yip told Kuddus and Rashid: “You need to prepare yourselves for a custodial sentence.”

Megan Lee died from acute asthma due to a nut allergy
PA

Her family was in tears in the public gallery as the verdicts were read out.

Speaking outside the court, her father, Adam, urged businesses not to "play Russian roulette" with lives.

"We live in hope," he said, "that today's result is a warning to other food businesses operating in such a deplorable and ignorant manner to learn from this and improve their standards with immediate effect."

The trial heard Megan suffered an allergic reaction to the food on December 30, 2016. She died two days later. The meal was found to have the "widespread presence" of peanut protein.

Peter Wright, 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.

The jury also found Rashid guilty 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.

Kuddus had already pleaded guilty to those two charges on behalf of himself and of behalf of the Royal Spice Takeaway Ltd.

Judge Yip bailed both men until November 7, when they and the company will be sentenced.

She added: "The fact that I am granting bail shouldn't be taken as any indication there should be a non-custodial sentence.”

Reporting by Press Association.

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