A takeaway owner has been ordered to pay costs of £7,000 after mouse droppings were found littering his shop.
Mr Panchalingam, of Rainbow Food in Abbotsbury Road, Morden, pleaded guilty to five offences under the food hygiene regulations at Richmond Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 6.
During a routine inspection in October 2012 mouse droppings were found at the shop and inspectors criticised a lack of soap at the hand wash basins.
A further visit in January saw no improvement forcing environmental health officers to take action.
Mr Panchalingam was fined £5,000, ordered to pay the council’s legal costs of £1,960 plus a victim surcharge of £100.
Councillor Andrew Judge, Merton Council's cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, said: "The council always tries to advise shop owners on any health and hygiene improvements they can make.
"But when this is ignored we will not hesitate to take legal action.
"We will not tolerate standards less than excellent when it comes to the public’s health.
"Improvements have been made at the shop and we will ensure they are maintained in order to protect the health and welfare of our residents."
Check the hygeine rating of local food businesses.
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