Owner faces jail over filthy restaurant

AN Oldham restaurant owner is facing prison after health inspectors found mice droppings, filthy work surfaces and live beetles at his Yorkshire Street premises.

Wen He pleaded guilty to six charges relating to food hygiene following a routine inspection by environmental health officers at Imperial City in Yorkshire Street.

When the premises were inspected in August, 2012, officers found an active mice infestation, mice droppings on cooker rings and ready-to-eat onion rings, a fly infestation, mouldy equipment and dirty walls and floors.

There was no hot water supply and nowhere for staff to wash and dry their hands. Employees weren’t wearing the correct clothing.

The Chinese buffet restaurant had been inspected several times since 2006,after which inspectors had issued warnings about the condition of the premises. The restaurant has been closed since last August.

Wen He told officials he wasn’t aware of the mouse infestation and illness had prevented him properly supervising cleaning.

District Judge James Prowse referred the case to Minshull Street Crown Court for sentencing, saying there was a “long history of the most appalling breaches of health and safety”.