A restaurant owner has lost his licence to sell alcohol after illegal workers were found at his premises in Reading.

Home Office immigration enforcement officers visiting Miah’s Garden of Gulab, Wokingham Road, on May 13, found five immigration offenders.

A total of 12 men were found to be working illegally across the three restaurants in Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham, all owned by Jamshed Miah.

Peter Narancic, Reading Borough Council (RBC) licensing officer, said: “It is clear from the evidence presented that Mr Miah has failed the four licensing objectives.

“No documents were checked for any of these workers. The only appropriate and proportionate step is for the licence to be revoked. “

The licence was revoked because of the employment of illegal workers, failure to provide employment records, and the practice of trial shifts before determining eligibility.

Jon Payne, representing Miah's Garden of Gulab, said: “It is fair to say that we are disappointed with the decision given that there were checks being carried out on staff.

“We are now going to consider our position, but we believe that we have upheld the licensing objectives and will continue to do so.

“A decision on whether or not to appeal will be made in the very near future.”

The licence was revoked at last night’s (November 1) licensing hearing at Reading Borough Council (RBC).

Mr Payne called for conditions to be put on the licence rather than a revocation, but this option was rejected.

Mr Miah was not present at the visit, conducted following a referral from the Slough Modern Slavery Sub Group.

Officers found no substantial evidence of any potential victims of modern slavery.

Mr Miah is also the owner of Miah's restaurants in Spencers Wood, Wokingham and Pangbourne, West Berkshire; both lost their licences last week.

Immigration officers found a total of seven staff working illegally at the two restaurants in June and August.

Hearings took place at West Berkshire Council and Wokingham Borough Council on October 23 and 25.

Mr Miah faces a potential total fine of £220,000 from the Home Office for the 12 illegal workers found.

Thames Valley Police officer Simon Wheeler said: “One time we could say is bad luck.

"Three times is impossible to believe. This is a serious lack of regard for doing the right thing."

A review of an application to transfer the licence to Mr Miah's son Mouadjul Miah is to be heard on November 11.