The owner of a cockroach-infested cafe has been fined more than £6,000 following a routine hygiene check.
Hassan Derrin, owner of Miss Ellie’s Cafe in Mitcham Road, pleaded guilty to a range of health offences when he appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday February 21.
Charges included having no food-safety management in place, no correct procedures to control pests, risk of food contamination due to cockroaches and inadequate cleaning and maintenance.
The court heard council officers carrying out an inspection in August last year found an infestation of German cockroaches throughout the premise.
He was fined a total of £4,500, plus a £1,500 contribution toward costs, and a £15 victim surcharge.
Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety, said: "Thanks to the officers’ diligence, a food provider has been brought to book and made aware, in no uncertain terms, that he has a duty to keep his premises spotlessly clean in order to avoid the chance of his customers consuming contaminated food.
"It’s hoped that others will take heed of the heavy financial penalty levied against this café owner and do their utmost to ensure their own premises meet the standards expected by the council and, more importantly, the public."
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