A TAKEAWAY owner that served customers fish and chips from “disgusting” premises infested with rats has been ordered to pay £1,414.86.

Vajid Karim, who owns VJ’s Fisheries on Queensgate, pleaded guilty to several breaches of food hygiene regulations at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Karim, of Arnold Street in Birkby, admitted he was responsible for letting the rat problem get out of control.

Prosecutor Sarah Swarbrick said droppings were found on the “dirty” cellar floor and on sacks of potatoes.

She said Kirklees Council hygiene inspectors saw gnawed packaging on the floor next to the droppings and there was building plaster all over the food preparation area.

Karim, 25, told magistrates: “Basically I’ve tried to open a food place and my hygiene level wasn’t up to scratch due to differences I had with people and problems with finance.