THE owner of a Bradford takeaway ignored an infestation of mice causing an “imminent risk to public health”, a court heard.

Shahbaz Khan, 26, food business manager at Master’s, admitted failing to fix holes in the rear door and cellar of the business in Duckworth Lane, allowing pests to enter the building and leave droppings in food preparation areas.

He had taken over the running of the eatery in November 2015, but had failed to register the business with Bradford Council by the time environmental health officers visited on January 27 last year.

The inspectors also found flour containers stored next to open windows, raw produce kept with cooked items, and meat dripping from a dirty fridge.

The business also had no food safety management system, no hot water or soap in the washbasin in the main kitchen, and waste oil cans and cardboard boxes in a back yard were not kept in commercial bins.

Khan, of Carlisle Place, Bradford, appeared before magistrates yesterday to plead guilty to eight breaches of food hygiene regulations.

Prosecutor Harjit Ryatt told Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court that after the visit on January 27, Khan had voluntarily agreed to close the business down.

He said: “Officers found mouse droppings where food was being prepared or handled. The defendant was aware of the rodent infestation but continued to trade.”

Yousuf Khan, mitigating for Shahbaz Khan, said his client’s actions were caused by naivety, not “wilful neglect”.

He said that since the incident, Khan had completed food safety qualifications and made “drastic changes” to the business, which he re-assumed control of last month.

He said Khan had overseen a full refurbishment of the premises and now had all the necessary food hygiene systems in place.

Fining him £1,000, with £750 costs and a £100 surcharge, chairman of the Bench Yunus Musssa Mayat said: “These are very serious offences, especially for the people who have used your shop. But, we have seen you made significant changes very quickly.

“The biggest offence is the mouse droppings, and for that we are fining you £1,000.”

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