Mouse droppings found in kitchen, counter and cupboards of Chinese takeaway

The problem was so widespread at Po Wing, in Harden Road, Walsall, that it was immediately closed down following an inspection in April last year.

The shop's boss Raymond Wing Man NG, appeared at Walsall Magistrates Court on Monday and admitted a charge of failing to comply with food safety and hygiene regulations.

The 57-year-old will be sentenced later this month. The takeaway reopened less than a week after the inspection following measures put in place to resolve the issue.

Mrs Kerry Munro, prosecuting, told the court environmental officers found droppings on the kitchen floor around a washing machine, behind a fridge and freezer, on a shelf underneath the customer counter, and in gas and electric metre cupboards.

She said: "Two droppings were found on the shelving unit in the centre of the kitchen opposite the cooking range where condiments were being stored.

"They were also found on the bottom shelf of the central unit, opposite the sink where the herbs and spices were stored.

"Grease and faeces were found on the plastic trunking for electrical cables fixed to the wall next to the cooking range."

Mrs Munro added inspectors found a hole in the kitchen ceiling and another in a wall between the kitchen and the customer counter where rodents could be accessing the takeaway.

Mrs Munro said mice spread infectious diseases like salmonella, contaminate food via their urine and faeces and damage food and property.

But she added there was no evidence of actual harm being caused as a result of mice at Po Wing.

When interviewed, Mr Wing Man NG – who lives above the takeaway he has ran for the last nine years – said he had been aware of the problem for around a month before the inspection and had been attempting to deal with it. But he agreed he had not taken sufficient action, the court was told.

Representing himself, and speaking through a Cantonese interpreter, he said the problems started when another takeaway opened next door.

"Ever since my neighbour came and opened a fast-food business next door I noticed a build-up of rubbish outside," he explained.

"I tried to speak to them and complained to the landlord.

"I knew it would cause a problem to me. I thought I could handle the situation. I feel regret."

Chairman of the Magistrates bench, Irene Gutteridge, adjourned sentence until February 29.