A takeaway restaurant in Southend has had its licence revoked after an employee was found to be working there illegally and on less then minimum wage.

Licence holder for SFC on Southchurch Road, Kazi Hasan, appeared before Southend Council on Friday after immigration officers found somebody to be working there without a valid UK work visa.

Immigration officers visited the restaurant on Monday October 4 and found the worker there.

As a result of this discovery, Essex Police called for the chicken shop to have its licence reviewed.

During the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting, Mr Hasan told the councillors that he had left his employee in charge while he was on holiday in Bangladesh between September 25 and October 9.

He also claimed that he never employed the illegal worker and had never met them in his life.

After the sub-committee deliberated on the case, they decided to completely revoke the licence.

This was because Mr Hasan had undermined the licensing objective by not taking the right steps to prevent crime and disorder on the premises of SFC.

He undermined it by allowing somebody to work there without a visa and for below minimum wage.

The sub-committee did not think that Mr Hazan was fit to continue holding the licence.

Although the licence has been refused for renewal, Mr Hazan can appeal the decision.

SFC must cease to operate immediately until a successful appeal is lodged.