THE former boss of a Leeds Road takeaway has been slammed by a Magistrate for the “appalling” conditions at his business.

When Council inspectors visits Desi Khana on two occasions last year they found rodent droppings, “smear marks” in food preparation areas and filthy conditions.

Parvez Akhtar was ordered to pay almost £5,000 when he was sentenced for a string of food hygiene breaches at Bradford Magistrates Court on Friday.

Magistrates were told that Akhtar, who has now stepped away from the food business, is on benefits – and it would likely take him almost two decades to pay off the money.

Akhtar, 56, of Galloway Lane in Pudsey, pleaded guilty to six charges relating to two inspections of the takeaway – on March 3 2025 and August 19.

Imran Hussain, prosecuting on behalf of Bradford Council, said the business, which specialises in South Asian food, was visited in early March 2025 and given a 0 food hygiene rating.

Environmental Health inspectors visited the following day and found “significant breaches of food hygiene law.

“They requested the business close voluntarily due to the public health risk.”

Detailing some of the issues officers found, Mr Hussain said: “There were rodent droppings on equipment and rodent smears on the doors. There were filthy conditions and issues with structural work, pest proofing, and no documented food safety management system.

“There was evidence of an active rodent infestation.

“He agreed to close the business until these issues were dealt with.”

When the business was closed, Akhtar carried out a deep clean and called in a pest control specialist.

Mr Hussain said: “But standards remained somewhat unsatisfactory.”

An improvement notice was then served, giving him time to make the much-needed changes to the business.

On August 19 there was a further inspection. Akhtar was not present, although his son was.

Mr Hussain told the Court: “The premises once again received a food hygiene rating of 0.”

Conditions were again found to be filthy, and bricks were being stored in the toilet.”

Further improvement notices were served, and on a follow up visit in October it was found the business had complied with these.

Mr Hussain said: “The defendant has been in business for quite some time, and he will be fully aware of his responsibilities.”

Mr Ali, defending, said: “My client had run Desi Khana for 20 years, and he ran it brilliantly with no issues.

“However, in the last two or three years he has suffered health issues, and he relied on his sons to take over the business. He had hopes for his sons to continue the business, but they have let him down.”

He said his sons were in charge of the business by the time of the August visit.

Mr Ali said his client had now moved away from the food business, adding: “For two decades he contributed towards the local economy – the business has won awards.

“He has paid his way through life, but is now struggling financially. He has no desire to get back into the food business.”

He said Akhtar had a string of health conditions including heart disease and diabetes.

Chair of the bench Lynda Bruce said: “It was an appalling situation – it really was.”

Addressing Akhtar, she said: “You knew what was happening, you could see the filth, the rat droppings, but you let it carry on.

“We could have committed this case to the Crown Court it is that serious.

“You have run a food business for 20 years – you should know the consequences. You were quite happy to take money from customers for food being prepared here.”

She fined Akhtar £560 and ordered him to pay a £224 court surcharge.

He will also have to pay the full costs incurred by Bradford Council in investigating the case – £4,189, leading to a total of just under £5,000.

Mr Ali pointed out that Akhtar was on benefits, adding: “He has no savings, he is bankrupt, he can barely pay utility bills.”

He argued that forcing the defendant to pay almost £5,000 was “setting him up to fail.”

Mr Ali added: “He is not going back into the food business – he knows what happened is wrong.”

Mrs Brice replied: “It is very wrong – it is appalling. You have to recognise that this could have been a custodial sentence.”

Mr Ali pointed out that the money would be paid off on the benefits rate of £5 a week. The court heard that it will take Akhtar almost two decades to pay off the