Grim images from a cafe in Wales that had to be shut down shows how its owner left it in a dire and gross condition – rat droppings can be seen all over the floor
The former owner of a café has been made to pay more than £6,000 after being found guilty of several hygiene offences – including rat droppings found “everywhere” in the premises.
Mark Edward Daniels owned the now closed Cafe@No1 in Griffithstown, Pontypool, Wales. It was visited by council environmental health officers in July last year after an anonymous complaint was received.
Torfaen council officers said they found signs of rodents throughout, including rat droppings on the kitchen floor, behind and below equipment, and in ceiling voids, Media Wales reported. There were also bait boxes found in food preparation area and rat holes discovered in the skirting boards and walls. Daniels, who said he was not guilty of the charges against him, was fined £2,460 and ordered to pay an additional victim surcharge of £1,056.
A build-up of grease and mould was found in the kitchen area, along with food waste and visible signs of baked-on dirt. Officials closed the premises with immediate effect in the interest of public health due to the risk caused by food safety issues.
Daniels’ business is now no longer trading. On December 9, Daniels, from Abergavenny, was due at Newport Magistrates’ Court having pleaded not guilty to four food hygiene offences at an earlier hearing.
Daniels failed to attend the hearing but he was found guilty in his absence of failing to keep the premises clean, failing to protect food from a risk of contamination, failing to put in place adequate procedures to control pests, and failing to effectively implement food safety controls.
He was fined £2,460 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,056. The council was also awarded the full costs of bringing the prosecution of £2,402.49. The total Daniels must pay is £6098.49.
Councillor Mandy Owen, executive member for environment, said: “The standards found at this café were totally unacceptable and clearly put customers at risk. Mr Daniels should never have allowed the café to have got into this state.
“I am grateful for the swift and robust action taken by our environmental health officers to close the premises to remove food safety risks and for putting the matter before the court. This case illustrates once again the vital work of the council’s public protection service in protecting the public from unacceptable risks to their health, safety and wellbeing.”
