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

Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 39, of Belper Street, Blackburn, and 38-year-old Harun Rashid, of Rudd Street, Haslingden, appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court charged in connection with the death of Megan Lee.

Both men only spoke to confirm their name, address and Bangladeshi nationality.

No pleas were entered. The defendants will appear for a further hearing on May 4.

A trial date has been set before a High Court Judge at the same court on October 2. It is anticipated to last up to three weeks.

Megan, from Hargreaves Road, Oswaldtwistle, died after suffering an allergic reaction to a meal from the Royal Spice takeaway in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, on December 30, 2016. She was taken to hospital but died two days later. A post-mortem examination showed she died from acute asthma due to nut allergy.

Prosecuting at Blackburn Magistrates Court Karen Tonge, said Megan had been spending time with family and friends before deciding to order a takeaway from Royal Spice, which is now trading under new ownership, via Just Eat.

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.

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 failing to comply with EU provisions concerning food safety and hygiene.

Prosecuting the case at the Crown Court Louise Brandon said the men would be arraigned on a new indictment at the next hearing.She also said it will be the prosecution case that the alleged health and safety breaches amounted to manslaughter.

The parents of Megan, who attended St Christopher’s High School, Accrington, were in court for the hour-long hearing.

Giving the men conditional bail, Judge Mark Brown, The Honorary Recorder of Preston, said: “The purpose of this hearing is that I should give directions into the preparation and management of the case. I have fixed a trial date on October 2. However before then there will be a further plea and trial preparation hearing. That hearing will take place on May 4 and both of you are required to attend that hearing. In the meantime I grant both of you bail and the bail will be on the same conditions as hither to.”