Takeaway duo bailed over teenager’s death

TWO Bangladeshi men were granted bail after appearing in court charged with the manslaughter of a 15-year-old girl who suffered an allergic reaction to a takeaway meal.

Restaurant owners Mohammed Abdul Kuddus (39), of Belper Street, Blackburn, and Harun Rashid (38), of Rudd Street, Rossendale, both appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

They face charges in connection with the death of teenager Megan Lee, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire.

Both men were charged with manslaughter, failing to discharge general health/safety duty to a person other than an employee, and contravening or failing to comply with EU provisions Tragic: Megan Lee died from an allergic reaction concerning food safety and hygiene. Kuddus was also charged under the name of the company, RS Takeaways Ltd, with failing to discharge general health/safety duty to a person other than an employee and contravening or failing to comply with EU provisions concerning food safety and hygiene.

Magistrates sent the case to Burnley Crown Court, where the men will appear on February 7, and they were both given conditional bail.

The teenager died in hospital on New Year’s Day last year after being admitted on December 30.

She had eaten food from the Royal Spice Indian takeaway in Hyndburn. A post-mortem examination showed she died from acute asthma due to nut allergy.

Lancashire Police said the takeaway was now trading under new ownership.