A TAKEAWAY boss gave a customer a free meal and £35 to get rid of bags of unwanted food and cartons from his restaurant, a court heard.

Mohamed Abdul Rokib, who runs the Jute takeaway in Chorley Old Road, has now been landed with a bill of nearly £1,300 after pleading guilty to not disposing of his waste correctly at Manchester Magistrates Court.

The court heard that Mr Rokib, aged 33, of Ramsey Street, Rochdale, was struggling to get rid of his rubbish, so he paid a customer he did not know £35 to get rid of it — and gave him a free takeaway meal as well.

The 10 bags of waste from the takeaway business were later reported by a member of the public near to the Bridgewater Canal in Boothstown.

Environmental crime off-icers from Salford City Council visited the canal side and found it littered with raw and cooked meat, metal containers and used cooking oil, and launched an investigation.

The waste was traced back to the takeaway in Bolton.

Speaking after the case, Cllr Gena Merrett, assistant mayor for housing and environment in Salford, said: “The Bridgewater Canal is a lovely area and we don’t want it filled with rubbish.

“The clear message here is that if you are going to pay someone to get rid of your waste, make sure they are registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.

“If you don’t you could end up paying a hefty fine.”

Mr Rokib had to pay a fine of £140 and costs of £1,140.
Fly-tipping can be reported on 0161 909 6500 in Salford or on 01204 336632 in Bolton, or by visiting bolton.gov.uk