Licensee fined over dirty pub

A Powys licensee has been handed a £2,200 fine after mouse droppings and putrefied meat were found in his pub.

Powys County Council Environmental Health officers visited The Kings Head, in Meifod, near Welshpool, in August last year.

Welshpool magistrates heard how officers found eight separate violations of the 1990 Food Safety Act.

Licensee Robert Thomas, who lives at the pub, admitted all eight offences and was also ordered to pay £1,730.34 costs.

He admitted selling food unfit for consumption, failing to proof premises against contamination, failing to ensure adequate pest control and failing to keep food premises clean.

Thomas, 46, also admitted failing to keep the storeroom clean, failing to keep kitchen equipment clean, failing to provide adequate drainage facilities and failing to implement and maintain procedures.

Mr Colin Edwards, prosecuting for Powys County Council, said: "Food debris and filth was found behind the dishwasher and hand wash basin. When officers looked further they found mouse droppings.

"A significant quantity of raw meat was found in the fridge which was very smelly and some of it had began to putrefy."

Mr John Parsons, for Thomas, said: "It was unfortunate that when the inspection took place he had been away for some days and had left someone in charge which clearly did not help.

"There had been no public complaints whatsoever."