Photos of a filthy County Durham takeaway revealed its shocking condition including an oven coated in grease and grim, spilt liquids left uncleaned in the fridge and bags of rubbish strewn across the floor.
Jeffrey Savage, who was the former owner of Salt and Pepper in Larchfield Street, Darlington admitted failing to keep the business clean and was fined more than £800 in court.
Savage, trading as Salt and Pepper, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court and admitted three charges of failing to meet the EU Hygiene Regulations, Teesside Live reports.
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He admitted failing to keep the premises clean, failing to keep equipment clean, and failed to implement a food safety system based on the principles of hazard analysis at Salt and Pepper.
Savage, of Brighton Road, Darlington, admitted the three counts and was fined a total of £360.
He was also ordered to pay court costs of £475 and a £36 surcharge - taking the total to £871.
The takeaway was given a zero star food hygiene rating by inspectors on May 17, 2021, when the shocking pictures were taken.
Councillor Alan Marshall, cabinet member for economy, said: "The pictures taken by the environmental health team at this venue are shocking and show the importance of our robust approach to making sure commercial kitchens across Darlington are safe and clean for customers.
"All kitchens are inspected routinely and we will not hesitate to act where there is evidence of poor practice or a risk to public health.
"I would encourage anyone who has concerns about cleanliness or food hygiene at a food business to contact our environmental health team direct and raise the alarm."
After the visit on May 17, Savage was ordered to thoroughly clean the premises, which was checked again before he was allowed to reopen.
The business now has a different operator and a different name.
