A RESTAURANT owner in Hayes was prosecuted by Hillingdon Council for failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free area and for obstructing environmental health officers.

Sina Behbod, 31, one of the company directors of GG’s in Station Road, was handed a fine and costs of almost £2,500 at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.

Behbod, who failed to attend court on the day, was convicted in his absence.

Hillingdon launched an investigation after seeing a sign advertising the sale of shisha. 

They found customers smoking shisha pipes at the rear of the restaurant in May in an enclosed space - a breach of the Health Act 2006.

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During the investigation, Behbod did not respond to letters from the council. Staff had also been instructed to refuse entry to officers to prevent them from carrying out further checks.

Cllr Douglas Mills, Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration, said: “Our officers have been very diligent in holding this restaurant to account and we are pleased the courts have reflected this.

“We will not tolerate businesses that flagrantly break the law in the borough. Our officers should be able to carry out their duties without being obstructed and this case should serve as a warning to all businesses to run their operations legally and responsibly.”