A HAMPSHIRE business has been fined thousands of pounds for employing illegal workers.

Rodizio Grill, in Wickham, has been listed in the Government's quarterly round-up of companies penalised for using illegal workers.

The latest data from the Home Office show the Brazilian Steakhouse in Wickham Road has been fined £10,000 for employing individuals who did not have the right to work in the UK.

The restaurant is one of more than 30 listed for the London and South East England region for October to December.

READ FOLLOW UP STORY HERE: Steakhouse owner says he has no illegal workers despite being named by gov website

The company was incorporated in 2018 under its director Achuthan Leelaratnam.

The grill received a hygiene rating of three following its last inspection in November when cleanliness and food safety was deemed “generally satisfactory”.

According to the Government, there can be severe penalties for employing individuals who do not have the right to work.

Gov.uk says: "You can be sent to jail for five years and pay an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty of employing someone who you knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK.

"This includes, for example, if you had any reason to believe that:

  • They did not have leave (permission) to enter or remain in the UK
  • Their leave had expired
  • They were not allowed to do certain types of work
  • Their papers were incorrect or false"