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.
“The landlord wasn’t co-operating as well as he should be – he was supposed to do some work and he didn’t come down to do it.
“I tried my best to get something going. I’ve just started something new with no previous experience and I’ve learnt a lot from it and come a long way.
“I’ve never been in catering and I’m 25 and I tried to do something. I’ve taken out masses of loans to be honest trying to make it work.”
VJ Fisheries, at Queensgate in Huddersfield, was closed down last July following an inspection by Kirklees Council’s environmental health officers.
The shop was subsequently cleaned up and allowed to reopen.
Chairman of the magistrates, Stephen Sykes, said: “You must admit it was rather in a disgusting state and a complete and utter problem with people’s health and this cannot be acceptable on any occasion.”
Mr Sykes ordered Karim to pay a bill for £1,414.86 including a fine, a victim surcharge and a costs.
