A former owner of a Bradford abattoir may face a prison sentence after a Court heard how sheep were crammed into pens before they were slaughtered.

Mohammed Mushtaq committed a catalogue of offences which breached rules on welfare and hygiene at Co-Operative Meats at Denholme Gate near Bradford. Judge David Thomas adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Bradford Magistrates Court heard how staff began to complain about the way the abattoir was being managed in 1999.

Veterinary surgeon Javiar Dominguez visited the premises and served a notice on Mushtaq requiring improvements.

The court was told how Mushtaq failed to stain sheep's brains and spleens so that they would not get into the human food chain.

Prosecuting for the Food Standards Agency, John Hall said the vet was concerned to find staff were not using hand-washing facilities frequently.

Mr Hall described how sheep were found overcrowded in pens before slaughter.

Mushtaq, 40, of London Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to comply with a notice served by an official veterinary surgeon, four of failing to ensure that carcasses of sheep did not come into contact with each other and two of failing to ensure risk material was stained after removal.

He admitted four charges of contravening food regulations, six of failing to keep articles clean or in good order, one of failing to establish consultation with an official veterinary surgeon to arrange staff hygiene training and one of failing to take steps to secure compliance of hygiene provisions for persons handling fresh meat.

Mitigating, Safdar Ashraf said when Mushtaq's family set up the business it seemed a good idea but with hindsight it then became the "worst decision in his life".