An Indian restaurant has been banned from serving diners after mouse droppings were found in a chapati pan.
Shere Punjab, in Leicester, was slammed for its dire food hygiene standards by council inspectors after filth was discovered throughout its kitchen.
Shocking photos show the rodent excrement by appliances and behind the toilet, with old food left out and dirt throughout the restaurant.
Old food is left out on filthy surfaces at the Shere Khan curry house in Leicester
Mouse droppings are scattered across the floor of the restaurant, with a mouse poison box also left in an effort to control the pests
Leicester magistrates said the disgusting conditions posed a safety risk and ordered Shere Khan bosses to pay £1,000
Leicester magistrates said the disgusting conditions posed a safety risk and ordered Shere Khan bosses to pay £1,000, at a hearing today.
Environmental health officer Alison Cadmore described the terrible conditions in a statement provided to Leicester Magistrates’ Court.
Mrs Cadmore first found the droppings when washing her hands, after noticing dirt and debris on the floor under the hand wash basin.
Another council officer was then called to take photos for evidence.
Mrs Cadmore said: ‘I showed him the evidence of mice and poor standards of cleaning that I had found thus far.
‘I went to show him the chapati pan I had found in the cooker with mouse droppings on it but the pan had been removed and a half-hearted attempt had been made to clean the oven shelf.
‘However there were still droppings at the back of the shelf and when I lifted the shelf up I could see numerous droppings in the base of the oven.’
A rotting barrel of ingredients is left on the floor of the Shere Khan restaurant in Leicester
Shocking pictures taken by environmental inspectors showed filthy conditions in Shere Khan
Droppings were also found around the freezer, around the fridge and there was ‘long standing’ dirt and debris all over the restaurant.
The latest report in a pest control book at the business was dated October 9, 2017 and indicated there was no pest activity.
Mrs Cadmore said there was nothing in the report to suggest that the inspection had been carried out by a member of a professional body.
Mouse droppings are found inbetween a container of oil and an interior wall of Shere Khan
Mouse droppings are found scattered along the floor of Shere Khan, by council inspectors
Mrs Cadmore said that she had visited Shere Khan that morning and the director had told her he would not be contesting the order and would not be attending court.
On a repeat visit on Monday morning, part of the restaurant was not accessible as work was being done. Bosses at the restaurant claim the work should be completed by Wednesday.
Granting the prohibition order, district judge Sally Fudge said: ‘I am satisfied that the risk of injury to health was in existence at the time when visited on November 23 and still exists today so I am satisfied that the order should be made.’