Court is told of mouse droppings restaurant floor

Bosses at a Black Country restaurant, where mouse droppings were found all over the inside of a food preparation room, have been ordered to pay more than £1,100 in fines and costs.

Council officers discovered droppings on the floor, window ledges, behind a chest fridge, on a chopping board and a pack of celery at The Copper Bowl in Coseley, as well as on lids of containers carrying chicken. A sink encrusted in 'grime' was also discovered at the restaurant.

The premises in High Arcal Drive were voluntarily closed by the owners while cleaning was carried out.

Imran and Moynull Hussain, who run the restaurant, pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Magistrates to one count each of contravening food regulations .

District Judge Graham Wilkinson gave them fines of £250 each and ordered them to pay £914 each towards council costs as well as a victim surcharge of £15 each.

Mr Wilkinson said there had been 'filth all over the place' adding, "No one walking into that room would have wanted to eat in your restaurant."

The restaurant was searched on January 13 but a return visit on January 18 found that the building had still not been 'pest proofed' to prevent further infestation. But officers at no time found any evidence of infestation in the actual kitchen or restaurant. It re-opened on February 8.

Mrs Donna Richards, prosecuting, said bosses had been very co-operative. But she added that a second visit to the premises on January 18 found there were still gaps through which mice could return as well as fat deposits in the yard.

Mr Sham Uddin, defending, said it was the first time his clients had ever been in court. He added that the publicity regarding the case would be 'devastating' for their business and called for conditional discharges.

But Mr Wilkinson said they had let the public down.

Mr Uddin added after the hearing that his clients' previous health and safety inspection had resulted in a four-star rating.