Restaurant’s manager fined after a rodent infestation

‘Serious issues still to be resolved’, court is told

CARDIFF CROWN COURT REPORT

A large rat infestation was discovered by local authority health inspectors in the food store of an Asian restaurant in Pencoed, Cardiff Crown Court has been told.

“There were also rat droppings” said prosecutor James Hartson.

Sheik Anwar, 55, of Moy Road, Cardiff, who was the manager of the Royal Masala restaurant, Hendre Road, Pencoed, admitted 14 charges under the food hygiene act, one of obstructing an investigating officer, and one of failing to ensure unsafe food was not placed on the market.

He was sentenced to a two-year community order, was made subject to a supervision order and directed to carry out 150 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £60.

Mr Hartson said that local authority inspectors visited the restaurant three times in May and July last year. He said the offences related to the state of conditions at the premises. They related, said Mr Hartson, to the state of the kitchen, cleaning utensils, food preparation surfaces, the storage of the food, and the temperature of fridges and freezers.

The cost of the case, he said, came to £5,017. Mr Patrick Horan, the investigating officer in the case, said there were still “serious issues to be resolved”. He pointed out that structural improvements had taken place.

Stephen Thomas, for Anwar, a man with no previous convictions, said he cleared about £1,000 a month in wages and was not the owner, but the manager. “Several improvements have already taken place,” he said.