Custodial sentences for fraudsters trading dodgy meat

Four men have been given custodial sentences for fraudulently diverting food not fit for human consumption back into the food supply chain.

The defendants were convicted earlier this year following an investigation by Southwark Council and the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), with a judge at the Inner London Crown Court handing down custodial sentences on 26 August. ​ 

See also: Calls for action over illegal bushmeat smuggling in UK

An investigation began when Southwark officers discovered 1.9t of Category 3 animal by-products – including whole and cut chickens, lamb’s testicles and beef burgers – being processed for sale into the human food chain at an illegal meat cutting plant in London.

The illegal cutting plant was not registered as a food business, had no running hot water, and the meat was prepared in unhygienic conditions. 

© FSA

Mark Hooper, Azar Irshad and Ali Afzal all pleaded guilty in hearings held in January 2025.

While Anthony Fear pleaded not guilty, he stood trial and guilty verdicts were reached for both him and his business, Fears Animal Products Ltd.  

Andrew Quinn, head of FSA’s NFCU, said: “The case demonstrates the serious risk posed to consumer safety when individuals deliberately disregard food safety regulations by putting meat unfit for human consumption back into the food chain.”    

Councillor Natasha Ennin, cabinet member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods at Southwark Council, added: “Consumers have a right to trust the safety of their food.

“The sentences handed down send a clear message: food crime will not be tolerated.”

Going to prison

Anthony Fear, sole director of Fears Animal Products, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for conspiracy to defraud by placing food not fit for human consumption on the market, and disqualified from acting as a company director for six years.  

Mark Hooper, a manager at Fears Animal Products, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, for his part in the fraud, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. 

Azar Irshad was sentenced to 35 months in prison for conspiracy to defraud, and various offences relating to unapproved premises and placing food not fit for human consumption on the market. 

Ali Afzal was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 21 months, 150 hours unpaid work, and ordered to pay costs of £5,000, for failure to comply with food hygiene regulations relating to unapproved premises.   

The company, Fears Animal Products Ltd will be penalised in 2026 following the conclusion of confiscation proceedings.