Indian takeaway boss banned for life from serving food after putting hundreds of people at risk by letting rodents overrun his kitchen
The food mixers were covered in mouse droppings, bread rolls had been nibbled and food was past its sell-by date
A CHEF has been banned from EVER serving food to the public again after he ran a vile takeaway which was overrun with mice.
Balvir Singh, 53, was told he "put the health of hundreds of people at risk" after his business was found breaching hygiene rules three times in two years.
Stomach-churning pictures show the kitchen and food mixers covered in mouse droppings, rolling pins encrusted with dried food and bread rolls nibbled by rodents.
Shockingly, there was so much food left in the kitchen for the mice to feast on they did not touch any of the cheese left in numerous traps on the floor.
Dad-of-three Singh, of Derby, was handed a six month prison sentence suspended for two years after he admitted four counts of failing to comply with regulations to ensure food was prepared with good care.
A judge told him he should “not be anywhere near a kitchen preparing food for the public ever again”.
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Singh was also slapped with a hygiene prohibition order banning him from working with food for life when he appeared at Derby crown court yesterday.
Judge Edward Coke said: “This was a flagrant disregard of the law and you don't have any conception what you did was wrong.
"I have seen the photographs, your premises were filthy, mouse droppings were everywhere and not just on the floor.
"Two rolling pins were put away unwashed and ready to use again and there is a picture of a towel that looks like it has not been washed in years."
The court heard the married Singh had been fined twice for breaking hygiene laws and had temporarily cleaned up but made no effort to keep up standards.
Health officials first became alarmed at the state of his Indian Spicy Foods takeaway in Derby when they made an unannounced inspection last September 2015 and found it covered in mouse droppings.
Prosecutor Abi Joyce, said: "Mouse droppings were on the floor in the kitchen area, on the floor and next to food and the utensils used to prepare food.
"A dough mixer was encrusted in dirt and food debris and there were more mouse droppings in the food mixer.
"There was dirt inside a microwave and insect webbing coming from the ceilings in the storage area.
"Mouse droppings were everywhere. Dirt, grease and grime were everywhere.
"Bread rolls were being nibbled by mice, the rodents were not taking the bait (from mice traps) because there was more than enough food for them not to take the bait at all."
The takeaway was closed for a month following the inspection but was allowed to re-open in December 2015 under the new name Punjabi Grill and Karahi Fry.
A further inspection saw him gain a three-star council hygiene rating but this month health officials again found it in a grim condition.
Ms Joyce said: "The inspectors found cooked food, curry, on pans on the floor, not refrigerated.
"There was evidence that the rear of the premises was being used as a makeshift kitchen.
"There was food past its sell-by date including milk that had no lid.
"Cleanliness and food standards had clearly deteriorated."
Ms Joyce said he had admitted 20 previous offences in two court appearances in 2014.
Digby Johnson, defending, said Singh moved to the UK in 1991 and initially worked for an elastic manufacturer in Long Eaton, Derbys., before moving to a fabric manufacturer in Alfreton, Derbys.
He opened the takeaway in 2009 with "little experience in catering".
Mr Johnson said: "The irony is that he is someone who works hard and long hours.
"He has tried his best but his best has not been good enough."
Singh refused to comment outside court.
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