THE owner of an Indian restaurant has appeared in court accused of the manslaughter of a father who suffered a fatal allergic reaction to peanuts after eating a takeaway.

Mohammed Zaman, owner of the Indian Garden, in Easingwold, North Yorkshire, appeared at Northallerton Magistrates' Court charged over the death of Paul Wilson.

Mr Wilson, 38, suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction and died after buying a curry from the restaurant in January last year.

Zaman, 52, from Huntington, York, spoke only to confirm his name, age, address and that he understood his bail conditions during the brief hearing before magistrates.

The court heard that Zaman, who stood at the back of the courtroom wearing a dark blue suit with a checked shirt, was charged with manslaughter, perverting the course of justice and an immigration offence.

He also faces six offences in relation to unsafe food, the court was told.

No indication of plea was entered and details of the charges were not revealed in court.

The case was adjourned to Teesside Crown Court on May 8.

The chairman of the bench said: "We cannot deal with these matters in this court so it will go to the crown court at Teesside."