A Penge restaurant owner was fined after ‘serious’ hygiene breaches were discovered– but pretended to be someone else to avoid blame.

Sadik Gunduz, owner of Angel Restaurant in Penge High Street, pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates to 10 offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene England Regulations.

A council Food Safety Officer visited the restaurant in July 2014 to carry out a routine inspection.

Serious hygiene breaches were discovered, including a large hole in the kitchen wall, kitchen equipment and storage was dirty and there was no hand basin. 

But when they asked a man to identify himself he gave false and misleading information.

Gunduz pretended to be the owner’s cousin, claiming the real owner was in Turkey, and he was just the manager.

MORE TOP STORIES He continued to use a false identity when attending a formal interview, and also gave the wrong date of birth in an attempt not to be held responsible for the poor conditions at the restaurant.

But officers’ suspicions were aroused when they realised similar excuses for the owner’s absence were used during previous visits by Food Safety Inspectors.

After an investigation by the officers and Bromley Police they discovered his true identity.

Head of Food Safety for Bromley Council Paul Lehane said: “There are some 2,000 food businesses in Bromley and the Council’s Food team is responsible for ensuring that they comply with the law, we will always take action where there are failings.”

Gunduz pleaded guilty on March 25 and was fined £1,000, ordered to pay the council’s costs of £5,846 - which were higher in this case due to the time it took to confirm Gunduz’s identity - plus a surcharge of £20.