Man convicted of illegally processing fish in flat

A man has been convicted of illegally processing fish in his flat.

Stephen Akuoko, 62, from Lincoln Green Court, Haines Way, Watford, pleaded guilty to two food safety offences at St Albans Magistrates' Court on 11 February.

The judge at St Albans Crown Court imposed two consecutive 12-month custodial sentences, suspended for two years, on 2 April.

The conviction was secured by Watford Borough Council, whose investigation began two years ago after cooked and smoked fish products traced back to Akuoko were being sold in the town.

Justine Hoy, associate director of housing and wellbeing at the council, said there was a clear and sustained failure to comply with legal requirements, despite formal enforcement action being taken.

The court heard Akuoko had gone to considerable lengths to conceal where the fish products were being prepared.

A tip-off from the fire service helped officers identify that he was producing them from his home, which is owned by Watford Community Housing.

Environmental health officers then served Akuoko with a formal notice requiring him to cease production immediately.

Despite this, officers found he continued to supply products for sale and consumption by the public.

The council said the decision to prosecute was taken due to his lack of cooperation during the investigation, his flagrant disregard for the law, and the potential risk posed to public health.

It said fish and seafood production was tightly regulated because it posed higher food safety risks if not handled correctly, and businesses had to be approved.

Akuoko has been banned from working in the food industry for five years.

The judge also awarded £2,500 in costs to reflect the council's investigation, rather than issuing a fine.

He described the evidence as overwhelming and praised the team's persistence.

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