Two men in court over nut allergy death of Megan Lee after takeaway

Mohammed Abdul Kuddus, 39, of Belper Street, Blackburn, and Harun Rashid, 38, of Rudd Street, Rossendale, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates' Court to face charges in connection with the death of teenager Megan Lee, from Oswaldtwistle

Megan, from Hargreaves Road, had eaten food from the Royal Spice takeaway in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, on December 30, 2016, before suffering an apparent allergic reaction and dying two days later.

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.

Magistrates sent the case to Burnley Crown Court, where the men will appear on February 7, and they were both given conditional bail.

Harun Rashid, 38, leaving Blackburn Magistrates' Court 

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.

Mohammed Abdul Kuddus arrives at Blackburn Magistrates' Court

The company charges will also be heard at the crown court on the same date.

Magistrates chair of bench Mrs Donna Jackson said, due to the 'severity' of these offences, the case was not suitable for magistrates.

Prosecuting, Karen Tonge, said Megan had been spending time with family and friends before deciding to order a takeaway from Royal Spice via Just Eat.

Parents of Megan, who attended St Christopher's High School, were in court with other family members for the brief hearing.

A post-mortem examination showed she died from acute asthma due to nut allergy.

The Royal Spice takeaway is now trading under new ownership.