Riots blamed for mouldy spare ribs at restaurant

A Mexican restaurant owner who was selling mould-infested spare ribs has been fined more than £2,000.

Gokmen Karakurt, proprietor of La Salsa in Stafford Street, Wolverhampton, was also selling out-of-date smoked bacon, chocolate desserts and sticky toffee puddings.

At Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday, the 34-year-old told blamed the August riots.

He said the spare ribs had gone mouldy because he had to leave his restaurant unattended for a week following the disturbances.

But he admitted having the products available for sale. Prosecutor Mr Richard Dewsbury said a routine hygiene check was carried out by environmental health officers on August 16.

"Mr Karakurt was present along with a member of staff," said the prosecutor.

The court heard inspectors searched the fridge and found a tub containing pork spare ribs that had "white mould spots" on them, and a 2kg pack of bacon that was a month out of date.

They also discovered two chocolate puddings a month out of date and three sticky toffee puddings that were about three weeks over their use-by date. Mr Dewsbury told magistrates that the general state of the kitchen also caused concern.

Karakurt, of Prosser Street, Park Village, admitted one charge of placing on the market food that was unfit for human consumption and four of selling food beyond its use-by date.

Defending himself, he told magistrates he and his staff were forced out when thugs ran riot on August 9 and that he did not return until the day of the inspection.

He added: "On that day there was a riot and we had to run out for our safety."

The court was told the venue was no longer operating and that Karakurt was no longer involved in the food service industry. He was fined £2,015.