Kebab shop plagued by cockroach infestation

A kebab shop in West Bromwich was overrun with cockroaches when environmental health officers closed it down, a court has heard.

The Kebab Grill and Pizza Bar at 139 High Street was shut immediately last February when officers from Sandwell Council carried out a random spot check of the premises.

Yesterday the former owner was ordered to pay almost £6,000 after he admitted a string of food hygiene offences.

The takeaway is now reopened and under new ownership.

West Bromwich Magistrates Court heard that environmental health inspectors had discovered an "infestation of cockroaches" around the kitchen, storage areas and in the servery, as well as dirty work tops and equipment which were covered in grease and food remnants.

Plaster was also found peeling from the walls, there was damp around the windows and the concrete floor was exposed under missing and cracked tiles.

The former owner Mr Aref Zakeri pleaded guilty to nine charges relating to food hygiene.

The court was told that he was aware of the cockroaches, but was going away.

In his defence, Zakeri's solicitor Mr Harry Cottam said: "This is a business that had been failing. He was making a day to day loss and he was looking to sell it.

"Mr Zakeri underestimated the problem."

Zakeri, aged 30, of Kiniths Crescent, West Bromwich, was fined £405 for each of the offences and was ordered to pay £2,137.25 costs and £15 victim surcharge.