New photos reveal the unhygienic conditions of a Barking restaurant which was ordered to pay £10,043 for offences under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006.

Barking and Dagenham Post: Photograph of mice droppings on shelf in store room next to food posing risk of cross contaminationPhotograph of mice droppings on shelf in store room next to food posing risk of cross contamination (Image: Archant)

The pictures show mice droppings next to food and raw meat stored in a plastic bag over ready to eat salad, both posing the risk of cross-contamination.

The owner of Kebabish Hut on Station Parade, Shafqat Mahmood, 56, pleaded guilty to 14 offences, including inadequate measures in place to control pests and a lack of basic food hygiene awareness.

Mr Mahmood appeared at Romford Magistrate Court on 24 January 2014, where his counsel mitigated on his behalf explaining that the poor condition of the kebab joint was due to a medical condition.

The court went on to fine him £500 for each offence, with costs totalling £2,843 and an additional £200 victims’ surcharge.

Mr Mahmood was found to have persistently contravened food hygiene regulations from August 2012, despite repeated attempts by Barking and Dagenham Council officers to offer advice and guidance.

Cllr Jeanne Alexander, Cabinet Member for Crime, Justice and Communities, said: “This case shows that food hygiene regulations put in place for the safety of all was repeatedly ignored despite continued attempts by the Council to help.

“The health and safety of residents and visitors to our borough is very important and our Environmental Health team will continue to work hard to help, advise, guide and protect.”