Curry death of allergic teen was ‘predictable’

FATAL ATTACK Megan Lee THE death of a 15-year-old peanut allergy sufferer from a takeaway meal was “a disaster waiting to happen”, a court heard.

Jurors were told the fatal asthma attack of Megan Lee was the “predictable consequence” of the conduct of two bosses at the Royal Spice Takeaway.

They are charged with manslaughter by gross negligence.

Her Just Eat online order included the words “nuts, prawns”, which were allegedly ignored and her meal of onion bhaji, a seekh kebab and a Peshwari naan included peanut protein.

The court heard how mum Gemma gave the kiss of life and chest compression but Megan – who did not have the anti-allergy drug epipen – died on New Year’s Day two days after the meal.

Police investigated and the restaurant in Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, was closed by council inspectors.

Yesterday prosecutor Peter Wright QC told Manchester crown court hygiene officers found a dirty kitchen that had mouse droppings.

He said spices and other ingredients were uncovered, with no protection from contamination.

“No or little regard” had been paid to warnings on jars of curry paste – used for seekh kebabs – that the ingredients may contain peanuts and nuts, he continued.

Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 40, of Blackburn, has admitted failing to discharge a general duty of employers and breaking European Union food safety regulations.

Fellow Bangladeshi Harun Rashid, 38, of Haslingden, denies those charges. Kuddus and Rashid, who claims he was merely a delivery driver, deny manslaughter.