Posted on: Friday 13 December 2024
A former owner of a Pontypool Café has been successfully prosecuted and fined for multiple food hygiene offences.
Council Environmental Health Officers visited Cafe@No1 in Griffithstown, Pontypool, in July 2023 after they received an anonymous complaint.
Officers found signs of rodent activity throughout, including rat droppings on the kitchen floor, behind and below equipment, and in ceiling voids. Rat holes were present in the walls and skirting boards, and there were bait boxes located in food preparation areas.
The kitchen was also dirty with a build-up of grease, dirt and food waste.
Due to the serious risks posed to food safety, the premises was closed with immediate effect to protect public health. The business has since ceased trading.
On Monday 9 December, Mark Edward Daniels of Underhill Crescent, Abergavenny, was due at Newport Magistrates’ Court having pleaded not guilty to four food hygiene offences at an earlier hearing.
Mr Daniels failed to attend the court 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 Mr 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”
If you have any concerns about food safety at businesses in Torfaen, get in touch by phoning the Food and Health Protection Team on 01633 648009 or by emailing: foodandhealthprotection@torfaen.gov.uk
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