A takeaway owner in Walsall has appeared in court following the closure of his town centre restaurant last year.
Dixy Chicken on Bradford Street was shut down by environmental health officers in September 2021, after a widespread rat infestation was uncovered.
A hygiene emergency prohibition notice was served on its owners.
Owner Murtaza Ali appeared in Dudley Magistrates Court on 24 August 2022 where it was revealed that rat droppings were found behind fryers, under the till, on the chicken counter, on top of the freezer and in the basement.
It was determined that adequate hygiene practices were not put in place.
Consquently, Mr. Ali was given a four-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £3,000 within 28 days.
Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader for Resilient Communities said:
“Poor food hygiene can kill people or make them gravely ill — it really is as simple as that.
“When we go out to eat, as customers, we don’t see what’s going on in the kitchen and food storage areas. Our environmental health officers get to see it all and I’m very grateful for the work they do keeping us safe.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome of this prosecution. It sends a clear message to other businesses that there are consequences when public health isn’t taken seriously.
“Since a family member was made extremely ill because of poor food hygiene in a restaurant some years ago, I have always checked the food hygiene rating of food establishments before giving them my business and I’d urge others to do the same.”