A pizza shop owner has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after admitting breaching hygiene regulations at an Aberdeen franchise.
Omer Yildiz posed a “real risk of causing food poisoning” after he ignored warnings handed to him by the local authority about the condition of the Snappy Tomato Pizza store on Barron Street.
On two occasions last year, Yildiz was told he was not meeting the hygiene regulations and was ordered to improve.
However, after he continued to ignore repeated requests by Aberdeen City Council to comply with official regulations, a report was sent to the Crown Office.
Yesterday, the 30-year-old appeared at the city’s sheriff court to be sentenced, having previously admitted two charges against him.
He pled guilty to failing to implement and maintain a food management system. He further admitted ignoring a ban placed upon him from selling cold foods which were not pre-packaged for risk of contamination with cooked food.
Representing the former accounts student, solicitor Keidra Morrison said her client had no money to pay a fine. She said he had since sold on the franchise and claimed the business had not made any money.
Sheriff Alison Stirling said she did not believe this to be the case as he had continued to profit, while breaking the law.
She ordered Yildiz, of 183 Great Northern Road, to carry out 210 hours of unpaid work within the next year.
Last night, a spokeswoman for Aberdeen City Council stated she was pleased with the outcome of the cause which they believed had served as a benefit to public safety.
She added: “The issues identified at Mr Yildiz’ business were of significant public health concern and posed a real risk of causing food poisoning.
“It was therefore vital for public health that his operations were restricted to those that could be achieved safely until he implemented a system to ensure food safety.
“His failure to do so resulted in this case being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
“The Snappy Tomato franchise is now operated by a different food business operator.”
