Insect-hit takeaway boss must pay £2,500

The manager of a Smethwick pizza house that was ordered to close after a cockroach infestation has been ordered to pay out more than £2,500.

Castello Pizza in Bearwood Road was temporarily closed after it was over-run with the insects early last year. And yesterday Mr Razar Mazlaghadr, aged 33, from Bearwood Road, Smethwick pleaded guilty to failing to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests. Mrs Tharan Biring, was prosecuting on behalf of Sandwell Council.

In the hearing at West Bromwich Magistrates Court, she said environmental health officers from Sandwell Council went to Castello Pizza at 2pm on January 28, 2008 as there was information regarding possible cockroach activity at the site.

Mazlaghadr identified himself as the manager of the business and told the environmental health officers that the owner was not on the premises.

The officer explained the purpose of the visit and asked if he had a pest contract. A report showed the last visit was made in December 2007 and had uncovered substantial evidence of cockroaches.

Mrs Biring said a check of the premises revealed cockroaches in the rear preparation room; by the freezer; by the walk-in chiller; the storage shelf, next to the main serving area and a dead cockroach was found under the sink in the preparation room.

Mrs Biring said the officer formed the opinion there was a health risk and the business should be stopped from trading.

Mazlaghadr, who was defending himself, said he had tried to do all he could to stop the infestation, even contacting the council directly, however, he was told it was the responsibility of the business to control it.

Presiding magistrate Mrs Christine Jones fined Mazlaghadr £1,000. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,500 and pay a £15 victim surcharge.