A takeaway boss has been found guilty of serving undercooked meat.

Mohammed Hussain, owner of Perfect Fried Chicken, in Preston Street, Brighton, was ordered to pay fines and court costs of £6,115 after admitting 14 charges of breaching food hygiene regulations.

Brighton and Hove City Council prosecuted Hussain after he repeatedly failed to improve health and safety standards.

Officers visiting the premises consistently found that food was being cooked and stored at a temperature that could allow food bacteria to grow.

They also found grease, dirt and food debris on the floor, walls and surfaces, and there was no evidence of antibacterial cleaners being used.

Brighton Magistrates’ Court was told that the hand wash basin was dirty and there was no hot water supply.

Staff were not wearing suitable clean protective clothing and were unaware of the correct temperatures for food cooking and storage.

During numerous education and enforcement visits, council officers provided Hussain with advice and information on food safety management .

They arranged for him to attend a free training course and organised a contractor to visit Hussain to explain in detail the Safer Food Better Business system.

Hussain claimed he was the victim of a vendetta by the council, but magistrates made it clear that he was treated no differently to anyone else.

They added if had he taken the advice offered, he would not have been in court.