A former Carshalton Chinese restaurant owner has been hit with a £960 fine, following multiple breaches of food standards laws.

Xian Cao, who used to run Dragon City in Stanley Road, was charged with failing to comply with four food hygiene notices.

Sutton Council’s trading standards officers also prosecuted Cao for eight breaches of hygiene standards.

The restaurant has now been passed to a new owner.

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Cao's shortfalls included failing to clean the kitchen, not calling in pest control, and not buying a new fridge freezer.

Mr Cao, 49, pleaded guilty to the 12 offences at Croydon Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 30.

He was fined £80 for each offence, totalling £960.

Cao was also ordered to pay costs of £500, and a victim surcharge of £20.

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A council spokesman said: "The safety of food and standards of hygiene in our food businesses is of the utmost priority to us. The owner in this case failed to deal with the issues raised by officers and has been prosecuted as a result.

"Cases like this are extremely rare but officers will take tough action against any business found to be in breach of food hygiene laws. Residents can be reassured that the majority of food outlets in the borough are operated at a very high standard."