Takeaway owner admits food safety offences after nut allergy death of 15-year-old Megan Lee

  • Video report by ITV News correspondent Damon Green

A takeaway owner accused of the unlawful killing of a 15-year-old girl who suffered a nut allergy reaction has pleaded guilty to two food safety offences.

Megan Lee, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, had eaten food from the Royal Spice Takeaway in her hometown on December 30, 2016.

She suffered a fatal asthma attack and died in hospital two days later.

Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 40, and Harun Rashid, 38, will go on trial at Manchester Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of the teenager.

Earlier on Thursday, Kuddus, of Belper Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to a count of failing to discharge a general duty of employers, contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act.

In addition, he pleaded guilty to another count of failing to put in place, implement and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures in contravention of European Union food safety regulations.

Kuddus also entered guilty pleas to the same offences on behalf of Royal Spice Takeaway Limited, trading as Royal Spice Takeaway.

His co-defendant, fellow Bangladeshi national Rashid, of Rudd Street, Haslingden, pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Both deny manslaughter.

The trial, which is expected to begin later on Thursday, is estimated to last up to four weeks.