Prosecution for Portobello food store 'infested' with mice22 October 2003Mouse droppings and a dead rodent were found nestling amongst the wines and nibbles on offer at a North Kensington off-licence when Council environmental health officers paid a routine visit there last year. Now the shop's owners have been prosecuted and fined for placing the health of the borough's residents and visitors at risk. Mr Sarwan Nahar, proprietor of Universal Wines on the Portobello Road, appeared before West London Magistrates last week (14 October) to plead guilty to failing to take proper steps to control pests, an offence under the Food Safety Regulations. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay the Borough's legal costs of £500. In sentencing Mr Nahar, the judge commented that he considered the premises to be in a disgusting state and this case amongst the worst he had ever seen. He also condemned a "complete inattention to standards of food hygiene." The judge added that the defendant would have been fined thousands of pounds but for the evidence of his dire financial circumstances. During the hearing, the Court heard that during a routine inspection carried out in June last year, environmental health officers discovered a range of serious breaches of hygiene standards, including mouse droppings in areas where food was for sale, nibbled sweets, and a dead mouse. "The message to rogue food and drink outlets in Kensington & Chelsea is simple," said Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Cllr. Richard Walker-Arnott. "Follow the food hygiene regulations at all times. If you don't the council will take you to court and may even close you down." For further information contact Media and Communications. See also Food Hygiene Safety and Standards.
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