Dudley Chinese takeaway fined after rat droppings found
A Chinese takeaway owner has been fined for serious hygiene offences after rat droppings were found inside the premises.
Health inspectors also uncovered gnawed packaging and dirty equipment at Panda Paradise in New Street, Dudley.
Yongjin Zeng, aged 43, pleaded guilty to seven charges at court, including failing to keep the premises pest-free, after the October 2017 inspection.
The takeaway has previously been punished for hygiene offences while under different owners.
It was temporarily shut in 2015 after an emergency notice was served.
And in June 2017, another former owner, Lixiang Ma, was fined £6,000 after health inspectors found a rat infestation.
However just four months later, environmental health inspectors found more signs of rats after a visit by Dudley Council.
Zeng was fined £2,558 at Dudley Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to the charges under food safety and hygiene regulations.
The other offences were for failing to keep the premises and equipment clean and in good condition.
Inspectors found dirty and damaged equipment, including food containers, chest freezers, chopping boards and frying baskets, the court heard.
Meanwhile grease and debris was discovered on the floor, ceilings and walls were found to be defective and grease was also seen dripping from the extraction canopy above the wok range.
The takeaway has now changed ownership and will reopen under a new name.
Dudley councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member responsible for communities, said: "Conditions at this takeaway were poor.
"While we prefer to work with businesses to secure compliance with the law, we will not hesitate to take legal action against food businesses proprietors who do not take advice on board and who fail to meet legal responsibilities.
"I want to reassure the public that the vast majority of food businesses in the borough are well run and compliant with hygiene and safety rules.
"More than half of all food outlets in the borough are achieving the top hygiene rating of five, with most achieving a satisfactory rating of three or more."
