THE OWNER of a kebab van in Hampshire has been hit with a hefty fine after putting his customers at risk by keeping unsafe meat on the premises.

Mehmet Kilinc owns the Best Kebab Mobile Food truck on the A326 Totton Western Bypass.

But the 37-year-old has been found guilty of breaching food and hygiene laws and ordered to pay a £1,886.99 fine.

Southampton Magistrates Court heard how Kilinc, pictured, had been warned by senior hygiene inspectors from New Forest District Council twice about not keeping meat at the correct temperature, but he had failed to fix the issue.

Prosecuting, Lisa Clark told the court that on two occasions in January this year inspectors had gone to the van to carry out a full inspection. On both times they found doner kebab meat which had been left in a pot inside the van overnight.

Ms Clark said: “The meat had been left overnight and not refrigerated at the correct temperature of below eight degrees, which increases the risk of meat containing bacteria or E.coli. An inspector gave him an official warning and then returned a week later to find the same issue with unrefrigerated meat on site.”

The court heard that once the meat was spotted Kilinc, of Wyndham Court, Southampton, immediately threw it away and did not serve it to any customers.

Representing himself Kilinc said: “I would never have put my customers at risk by serving that meat. I admit I am guilty for leaving the meat out but both times I wasn’t open and I wouldn’t think of serving that meat, I have had the truck for 14 years and never had any complaints.

“Both occasions I was not working the night before and came in and the inspector was there, I had just forgotten to clear the meat.”