A TAKEAWAY owner has been convicted and fined £2,000 for running his restaurant without a licence.

Terry Allinson, 45, of Pizza Time, Regency Mews, Northallerton, did not attend the hearing at Northallerton Magistrates Court.

After the court heard he had been warned that the case could go ahead in his absence, magistrates decided to hear evidence and convicted him in his absence.

TheyMr Allinson the sum of £2,000, plus the costs of Hambleton District Council – which prosecuted him – and a statutory surcharge of £120. The council told the court it had given him several warnings that he had to apply for a licence if he sold any food or hot drinks at any time between 11pm and 5am.

However, he did not get a licence despite operating after 11pm and told a council officer: “I’m quite happy – take me to court.”

A spokesman for the local authority said since the prosecution began, the takeaway has been granted a £190 licence allowing him to provide food and drink until 1am on weekdays and 2am on Saturdays and Sundays.