Takeaway sold beef as lamb

Zishan Shafiq, 26, who owns the Pioneer Restaurant and Takeaway in Nelson Street with his brother Mohammed Nohman Shafiq, 29, bought the meat when he discovered lamb was much more expensive.

Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday the takeaway’s lamb curry was found to be made of beef following a routine West Yorkshire Trading Standards investigation on July 11.

They were interviewed by the authority on September 11 when they said they had been operating for 12 months and had no experience or training except health and safety before taking the business over from their father.

Prosecutor Samantha Lawton said Zishan had told all the staff except his brother he bought beef instead of lamb, and they should tell customers.

Defending, Leveene Hill said a breakdown of communication had led to the offence, rather than financially motivated, deliberate actions.

She said Zishan was responsible for ordering the meat, and had not explained it properly to his brother, who designed the website and menu and who oversaw paperwork but had taken a step back after his baby was born.

She said Mohammed discovered the meat was beef following the Trading Standards investigation and has updated the menu and website and put signs in the takeaway.

Magistrates said they thought both brothers, of High Street, Heckmondwike, would have been aware beef was bought in place of lamb.

They admitted selling food which was likely to mislead as to its substance.

They were both ordered to pay £1,000 fine, £678 costs and £100 victim surcharge.