The owner of a Darlington takeaway has been prosecuted after repeated inspections revealed dirty conditions and serious risks to public health, including out of date food and leaking pipes.
At Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on December 10, Ranga Gunumuthu, owner of Cuisine Marmaris on Parkgate, pleaded guilty to failing to keep his premises clean as required by food hygiene law, and was ordered to pay £850 in fines and court costs.
Environmental health officers from Darlington Borough Council visited the takeaway on four separate occasions between March and April 2025.
A routine inspection on March 6 this year found that the premises and equipment were dirty and food was at risk of contamination.
The business was downgraded to a three-star (satisfactory) rating, which prompted further visits in April, one of which resulted in the business receiving a zero-star (urgent improvement necessary) rating.
During one visit, 15 breaches of food hygiene legislation were uncovered, including out-of-date food, dirty equipment and leaking pipes.
Environmental swabbing also revealed contamination levels on a salad preparation surface nearly 30 times higher than acceptable standards.
Despite repeated opportunities to address the hygiene issues raised, Mr Gunumuthu of Newton Way, Stockton-on-Tees, failed to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and conditions at the premises continued to deteriorate, placing customers at risk.
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Following sentencing, Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy, said, "The health and safety of local people is one of our main priorities.
"Darlington boasts a huge variety of restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, food vans and stalls - 95% of which demonstrate good or very good hygiene standards.
"Prosecutions like these are rare and are only made where attempts to engage businesses and resolve issues have failed.
"This week's judgment serves as a reminder that we will take hard-hitting action against business owners who place their customers at risk by failing to maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness within their facilities."
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