A Cardiff takeaway was found in a filthy conditions with rat and mouse droppings all over the floor during a routine inspection.
Sicilian Pizza on Cowbridge Road East also had mould on pipes, knives left on the floor outside as well as fat and food on the floors.
On Friday, July 12, establishment owner Noor Mohammed Noor attended Cardiff Magistrates’ Court to receive his sentence following a previous guilty plea to four offences and was fined £4,800, ordered to pay £2,217 costs as well as a victim surcharge of £120.
The conditions were discovered following a routine inspection by council officers who found a significant amount of rat and mouse droppings which hadn’t been dealt with for at least six months.
Bags of flour were also found blocking mouse holes.
Mr Noor’s legal representative told the court that Mr Noor had "rested on his laurels" as the sole trader of the business.
He accepted that he hadn’t carried out staff training but since the visit had deep cleaned the premises, ensured that all of his staff were trained and had employed Europest to ensure the rodent infestation was dealt with
Coun Michael Michael, cabinet member responsible for shared regulatory services at Cardiff Council said: "They say a picture speaks 100 words and in this case, the pictures certainly do.
"Thankfully the owner voluntarily chose to close the business when a zero rating was issued. I would like to remind all food businesses in Cardiff that we will take legal action against those who breach the legislation. Legislation is in place for a reason to protect public safety."
Following the remedial work that was carried out by Mr Noor at Sicilian Pizza, officers from the Shared Regulatory Services re-visited the business in September 2018 which resulted in a food rating of four.
Food hygiene ratings explained - and what it takes to get a zero
These pictures show the state of the takeaway during the inspection:
