THE former owner of an Indian restaurant in Cuerdley who employed illegal immigrants has been fined for breaching vital fire safety regulations.

Mohammed Abdul Hannan Miah, aged 31, of Howgill Crescent, Oldham, flaunted numerous mandatory measures when in charge of The Spice of India, Widnes Road, Cuerdley.

He employed a ‘number of’ illegal immigrants, allowing them to sleep on the first and second floors of the premises in ‘sub-standard accomodation’.

There was also no fire alarm, fire risk assessment, and lack of escape routes in place at the restaurant.

The premises was first visited by Cheshire Fire in July 2011, when Miah was told employees could not sleep there due to insufficient safety measures being in place.

However, he ignored the prohibition notice and staff continued to stay on the premises from July 2011 to March 2012.

A joint visit by Cheshire Fire and Border Agency officers in March last year saw illegal immigrants removed.

Miah is no longer in charge of The Spice of India.

He pleaded guilty to eight offences at Warrington Magistrates Court on April 16.

The defendant was fined £1020 and ordered to pay £1000 in costs.