Inspectors were called in to help with a big environmental health job after a mouse was found in food prepared at a Chinese restaurant.
Yesterday (July 27th), a court heard how customers captured on camera the moment that the rodent jumped out of a bowl of sweet and sour sauce they were about to be served.
Environmental health officers investigated the Kam Tong restaurant in Queensway, where they found mice droppings all over the kitchen, including inside fridges and on a chopping board.
Restaurant owner Ronald Lim's other two restaurants - the Hung Tao and Kiasu - were also found crawling with rodents and insects.
Health officers noted that cockroach eggs were found in baskets of prawn crackers and dim sum and said that the restaurants posed an "appalling risk" to customers.
Southwark Crown Court ordered Mr Lim to pay fines of £30,000 in addition to costs of £18,131. He was also given an eight-month jail sentence.
Another Chinese restaurant made the news earlier this week after environmental health inspectors revealed hygiene breaches at Birmingham's Golden Bowl takeaway.
Posted by Lucy Fallows