Takeaway boss fined £4,000 for rat droppings

Environmental health officers also found the kitchen at the Green Dragon in Finkle Hill, Sherburn-in-Elmet, near Selby, was mouldy, dirty and untidy and there was no soap in the toilet wash basin.

Owner Zhong le Chen, 38, of Topcliffe Mount, Selby, pleaded guilty at York Magistrates’ Court to four counts of breaching food hygiene regulations.

In addition to the fine, the owner was ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a surcharge of £120.

The premises were rated “zero” under the national food hygiene safety scheme.

Enforcement Officer Tim Grogan said: “This prosecution clearly demonstrates that Selby District Council will take all necessary enforcement action where people who supply food to the public are found to be blameworthy and breaches of legislation are considered detrimental to people’s health.”

The council said its environmental health officers had since been working with the takeaway to ensure hygiene rules were followed.