This filthy fast food restaurant in Hull was ordered to shut down after inspectors found that it had nesting pigeons and an infestation of rats.
Photos revealed how Prima Takeaway used out-of-date food, stored raw meat next to other products and stored food way above the recommended temperature.
Environmental health officers visited in April last year after concerns were raised by Hull City Council’s pest control team regarding rat activity.
They were horrified to discover dirty disused equipment, broken lighting, and an offensive ‘strong odour’, HullLive reported .
There were also two birds’ nests within the food storage and preparation area with pigeons in them and, during the visit, one of the birds flew off through an open window.
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The owner, Shanmuganathan Santhrasekaram, said he “wasn’t aware there was an issue” when asked about the rodent infestation.
The takeaway was handed a zero food hygiene rating and was immediately ordered to close before being allowed to reopen again in May.
Inspectors ordered it to shut down for a second time after even more problems were unearthed in July.
However, Prima has since reopened and now has a hygiene rating of four – meaning standards have improved considerably.
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Santhrasekaram received a 12-month community sentence and must carry out 180-hours of unpaid work following sentencing at Hull Crown Court on Friday.
Speaking after the court case, Rachel Stephenson, food and health and safety manager at the council, said: “This was one of the worst premises our officers have encountered, with serious hygiene failings across every possible area.
"There is no place in Hull for a food business with rats entering their food store and pigeons nesting there.
“Prima was dirty with poor hygiene practices, putting customers at significant risk.
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"Despite warnings, advice and support, Santhrasekaram failed to make any improvements and then continued to trade from another premises after being forcibly shut down twice, showing a remarkable disregard for his customers’’.
“This case is a reminder of the fact that part of the role of Environmental Health officers is to protect people from eating food which could make them seriously ill.
"A hygiene rating of zero is never simply about paperwork, it should send out a clear signal to the public that something has gone wrong within the business which is much more serious.”
Santhrasekaram has make big strides since the events last month, Ms Stevenson confirmed.
She said: “Prima is also an example of how a premises can turn things around when the business owner decides to work with us to make improvements.
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“Since the second closure, Mr Santhrasekaram has engaged with one-to-one coaching sessions with our officers, addressed the serious problems identified and raised standards enough that Prima now has a hygiene rating of four.
"We would always urge those businesses which receive low ratings to accept our help to move forward.”
Santhrasekaram admitted 17 food hygiene regulation breaches during an appearance Hull Crown Court.
During the return visit in July, inspectors raised concerns after coming across a barefoot child sitting on the food preparation counter.
Inspectors realised the staff toilet had a hole large enough to see the residential accommodation next door and discovered that little work had been dome to prevent another infestation of rats and pigeons.
'Slimy' salad items were left in the salad drawer where the recorded temperature was 14C.
Santhrasekaram said two other men working with him were responsible for some of the issues - but was was unable to provide their full names.
He had also failed to make any progress at all on the necessary improvements outlined during the April inspection.
Further issues arose in November, when a customer complained about food quality after ordering from Prima via food-ordering app JustEat.
The complainant contacted Trading Standards after being unable to make contact with anyone at Prima over the phone, then driving to the premises and realising it was in darkness and clearly not trading.
Santhrasekaram was interviewed under caution in December, when he explained that he had taken his JustEat terminal to another takeaway.
He said the other premises was owned by his friend, who had allowed him to prepare food there.
Customers ordering from Prima through JustEat were not made aware that it had been closed, or that their food would be made at a different premises.
During the time it was closed, receipts from JustEat showed orders worth a total of £7,393.69 had been taken.
During sentencing at Hull Crown Court Cathrine Kikio-Gilligan, defending, explained Santhrasekaram had now learnt his lessons.
She said: “He has improved significantly and the takeaway now has a four rating.
“He has undertaken the necessary education and he has come on leaps and bounds with his knowledge of the regulations.”
While sentencing Santhrasekaram Judge Paul Watson acknowledged the seriousness of the offences.
He said: “This is a bad case towards the top end of offending of this kind.
“You cannot plead ignorance as it is your responsibility to know the regulations.
“I have drawn back from handing you a custodial sentence but you would not learn anything and it would be your partner and child that would suffer.”
