Chinese takeaway infested with rats

The owner of a rat-infested Black Country takeaway that had mould on the walls and grease on the ceiling has been ordered to pay almost £1,200.

Health inspectors who visited Happy Evergrace Chinese Takeaway in Tipton issued an emergency order to close the premises because they feared it posed a risk to customers.

At West Bromwich Magistrates Court, owner Wai Hoong Woo admitted three charges of breaking food hygiene laws.

Emma Hall, prosecuting, said inspectors found gnawing marks in the skirting boards and rat holes and rat droppings when they visited the Laburnum Road takeaway last month.

Miss Hall said there was food debris on the floor and there were scissors, a chip scoop and a can opener covered in grease and encrusted food.

As well as the rat holes and droppings there was spilled rat bait at the rear of the premises plus cooked prawns mixed with raw chicken and raw prawns.

The fridge was dirty and there were discoloured tiles. A light switch was covered in grease and some of the door hinges were broken.

"There were extremely poor standards of cleanliness," Miss Hall said.

"There was evidence of rat activity. It was indicative of little or no routine cleaning."

Officers closed the premises but Miss Hall said since the inspection, the restaurant had been sterilised and disinfected and allowed to reopen.

Woo, who runs the takeaway with his wife, chose to represent himself at Monday's hearing.

The 50-year-old, of Nuttall Grove, Handsworth, said he had not had much time to clean in recent months because he had been occupied by a gang that hung outside the takeaway.

On one occasion, he said, they had thrown a lit firework into the shop.

"I have been in this business 40 years and never had this problem before," he said.

"I have major problems with people outside. I spend 80 per cent of my time trying to stop kids causing trouble and 20 per cent of the time cleaning."

Woo was fined £280 and ordered to pay £902 costs plus a £15 victim surcharge.