Hygiene case butcher must pay £10,000

A Powys butcher has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 after parts of his shop were found to be unclean. Rikki Lloyd Butchers of Welshpool admitted three food hygiene charges.

Rikki Lloyd, 35, was fined £9,200 and ordered to pay £1,500 costs at Welshpool Magistrates Court yesterday.

Mr Nigel Vaughan, prosecuting, told the court the premises, in High Street, were inspected during a routine visit by Powys County Council's environmental health team in May.

He said: "The inspection of the premises revealed unacceptable standards of cleanliness in the preparation, cutting, storage, cooking rooms and serving area.

"An accumulation of dirt, grease, spilt food and in some instances decomposing food were noted throughout the premises on floor coverings, on the internal surfaces of the chillers, bins, on the hand sanitiser dispenser and on shelves.

"The probe thermometer used for checking the temperature of high-risk food was in a dirty and greasy condition."

He said Lloyd had now taken "significant" steps to improve cleanliness.

Mr Huw Williams, for Lloyd, said his client was very highly regarded by all who came into contact with him. He he had admitted mistakes were made but taken significant steps to improve cleanliness - including spending more than £10,000 on various equipment.