THESE are some of the disgusting scenes hygiene inspectors found when they visited a Halesowen takeaway.

And the council have warned that their prosecution of the owner - who ended with fines and costs of more than £2,600 – is a ‘clear message’ that owners of food premises must take their responsibilities seriously.

We have already reported how employer Jamall Khan, aged 26, from Birmingham, admitted 18 breaches of hygiene and health and safety regulations at Figaro Pizza (see our original report here: https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/news/19008263.figaro-pizza-court-hygiene-offence/ )

Now Dudley Council have issued these pictures to show just how bad they found conditions at the Peckingham Street takeaway.

The council say they found dirty walls and floors as well as a failure to clean away food from surfaces and damaged containers.

There was evidence of equipment not being cleaned and damage to equipment. Inspectors found insufficient lighting, handrails on the stairs and a dirty, stained toilet.

During the case, heard on January 6, Jamall Khan pleaded guilty to all 18 offences, three under Health and Safety regulations and 15 under hygiene laws.

The deputy district judge fined him £2,000 and him ordered to pay a £171 victim surcharge and £500 towards costs, making a total £2,681.

In mitigation, Khan entered an early guilty plea which was noted by the court.

The offences were committed in 2019. In January 2020 the takeaway was given a 1 out of 5 hygiene rating by the council. It has since closed, though there are plans to re-open under new owners.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow cabinet member responsible for environmental health, said:

“We would much rather work with businesses to help them stay the right side of the law and ensure customers have the standards they deserve when eating out.

“Our officers work closely with owners to guide them through all they need and make repeat visits to check progress on any improvements which have been asked for.

“But this prosecution sends out a clear message, if you ignore your responsibilities and put the public at risk you could end up with a very hefty fine through the courts.”

People can check the hygiene ratings of takeaways across the borough by visiting www.dudley.gov.uk