A curry house where five illegal immigrants were found work has lost its licence to sell alcohol and open late.

Miah’s Garden of Gulab owner Jamshed Miah lost two appeals at Reading Magistrates’ Court this week and must pay court costs of £7,164.50.

The appeal against Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) decision to revoke the Wokingham Road restaurant’s premises licence was heard on Monday, June 24 and Tuesday, June 25.

Mr Miah said: “It was very disappointing that the hearing focused on events over a year ago and totally ignored the changes we have introduced to ensure that no such events ever happen again.

“However even though it has been a difficult and stressful experience it has focused our thoughts on where we go in the future.”

The licence was revoked by RBC in November 2018 after illegal workers were discovered by police and immigration enforcement in May 2018.

Mr Miah then attempted to transfer the licence to his son but this was also rejected by the local authority.

Both decisions were appealed by Mr Miah but magistrate Rebecca Moore dismissed the appeals.

A spokesman for the council said: “The council is pleased that Reading Magistrates agreed with the decision of the  Licensing Committee to revoke the licence in the circumstances.

“Reading Borough Council takes such matters extremely seriously and we will won’t hesitate to take enforcement action if similar circumstances arose in the future.”

Miah’s Garden of Gulab is one of a trio of Berkshire restaurants under the same owner that had their booze licences revoked last year after 12 illegal workers were found by Home Office enforcement.