Two in court over death of Megan

JON MACPHERSON

TWO men have appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a 15-year-old girl who suffered an allergic reaction to a takeaway meal.

Harun Rashid, 38, of Rudd Street, Haslingden, and Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 39, of Belper Street, Blackburn, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 4, to face charges in connection with the death of teenager Megan Lee, from Oswaldtwistle.

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 concerning food safety and hygiene. ●● Megan Lee, 15, died on New Year’s Day last year after suffering an allergic reaction

Mr 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 fail- ●● Harun Rashid leaving court ing to comply with EU provisions concerning food safety and hygiene.

Mr Kuddus, wearing a burgundy coat, spoke through an interpreter to confirm his name, age and address.

Both men confirmed their nationality as Bangladeshi.

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

Megan’s parents were in court with other family members for the brief hearing.

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.