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Mouse droppings lead to £10,000 fine for Twickenham baker

Summary:

Belmont Bakery owner Stephen Doughty was fined £10,000 after being caught preparing food in kitchens infested with mouse droppings.

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By George Newley

A Twickenham baker was fined £10,000 after being caught preparing food in kitchens infested with mouse droppings.

Belmont Bakery owner Stephen Doughty admitted charges on Wednesday the 4th of January of breaching the Food Hygiene Regulations.

Environmental Health officers acted after a resident found a dropping in a bread roll.

Mr Doughty was also ordered to pay £6,000 towards the Councils costs for prosecuting him.

Councillor Virginia Morris said: “Belmont Bakery clearly broke the rules and sold food which was prepared in what can only be described as filthy conditions.

“As well as a breach of the law, Mr Doughty breached the trust of all his customers.”

Following a tip off a surprise inspection was carried out in October 2010, where large accumulations of dirt, dust and food waste were found.

“Customers will rightly be horrified to hear about the extent of the mouse droppings and dirt in the food preparation rooms and I am pleased to see the level of fines imposed,” said Councillor Morris.

A mouse was spotted during the ground floor inspection and Council officers ordered a halt on a last minute attempt of vacuuming any evidence away.

Councillor Morris said: “Even as the Council faces the toughest economic climate in recent years, we’re still protecting local people from bad businesses.”

Belmont Bakery has now closed down due to other reasons.

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