Restaurant boss flouted lockdown rules at party
POLICE DISCOVERED MORE THAN 60 WEDDING GUESTS HIDDEN BEHIND PAPERED UP WINDOWS
POLICE found an award-winning restaurant’s windows covered by paper while more than 60 people enjoyed a wedding party inside during lockdown, a court has heard.
Shek Farsi Ahmed Shah, owner of the Hot Chilli restaurant in Bolton, told an officer he believed the party was within lockdown rules because it was a wedding with 30 guests, Bolton Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday (December 1).
But police saw more than double that number in attendance at the venue – at a time when the country was being urged to stay at home – and Shah has now been sentenced by magistrates.
Prosecuting, Hamza Soren told the court that police had received a report of a suspected breach of Covid rules at Hot Chilli – with a wedding believed to be taking place.
At 3.15pm on February 21, PC Andrew Hopwood from Greater Manchester Police checked the restaurant, and saw that paper was being used to cover the lower part of the window which ‘obstructed the view inside.’
Mr Soren, of Bolton Council, said PC Hopwood then found a door which was open and entered the restaurant to discover dozens of guests and joyful decorations.
He said: “He witnessed approximately 50 guests present. The guests appeared to be having a sit-down meal.
“Decorations were on each table, there were ‘Mr and Mrs’ gift boxes and there were floral decorations around the restaurant. Guests were in formal attire. Females were wearing expensive-looking, traditional Asian gowns. It was clear that there was an organised, formal event taking place.”
The court heard that at this point PC Hopwood was approached by Shah, who confirmed he was the owner and claimed the event did not breach Covid rules.
Mr Soren said: “[Shah’s] response was that he thought he was allowed 30 people to attend as it was a wedding.
“[PC Hopwood] explained that by allowing guests to have a sit-down meal he had breached the restrictions.”
Mr Soren said the officer was then informed that there were more guests in the downstairs area of the restaurant.
Downstairs, PC Hopwood also found a wedding cake on the table, along with wedding favours and drinks bottles that had the same names on as the couple who were married.
Shah was handed a £200 fixed penalty notice, while 37 guests were also handed fines.
Shah, of Blackburn Road, told magistrates there were a ‘number of things that were not accurate’ in Bolton Council’s account of proceedings.
He claimed the windows had been covered by paper since July last year while renovation work was taking place, and this was only removed when restrictions were lifted.
Shah was fined £180 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £324, plus a £34 victim surcharge.
Shah’s response was he thought he was allowed 30 to attend as it was a wedding Prosecutor Hamza Soren