A Chinese takeaway owner, fined after rat droppings and traps were found inside his shop, has apologised to customers.

Hoi Shan Leung, of Fortune Cookie in Coombe Road, Kingston, blamed a four-month stint of jury service and a series of family problems for the state of his restaurant.

Customers had complained about food poisoning but could not have imagined the ingredients for their Peking duck and chicken stir fry meals were being stored alongside a haven for rodents.

The takeaway has since re-opened.

Leung said: “I was at the Old Bailey on jury service for four months so I had no time to look after the takeaway.

“Plus I had family problems and I run the business on my own. It was very unlucky for me, everything happened at once.

“I have refurbished it all now, it’s my fault not to take care of the takeaway so I have got no complaint about the fine but I just feel guilty about it for the customers. Of course I am sorry.”

The 37-year-old, who runs the business on his own, confirmed he was still trading, had taken responsibility, changed the system and had implemented a cleaning rota.

Leung pleaded guilty to seven offences under food safety legislation when he appeared unrepresented at Richmond Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 14.

The court heard Kingston Council environmental health officers found a faulty ceiling shedding dirt on to the food preparation area, rat bait boxes and rat droppings on an already dirty floor in the storage area.

Dirt was also found around electrical fittings and under the cooker during the visits, which were prompted by complaints about alleged food poisoning outbreaks.

The court heard that despite repeated notices by the council and the business being closed voluntarily for improvements to be made, little or no action had been taken.

Leung was fined £500 for each offence making a total fine of £3,500, with costs of £1,760.46 and a victim surcharge of £15, making a total of £5,275.46.

Hygiene ratings are available at scoresonthedoors.

org.uk.