A Chinese restaurant that repeatedly failed to meet food safety levels was hit with £12,000 in fines – and £4,000 in court costs – the highest amount awarded to Babergh in ten years.
Babergh District Council successfully prosecuted Shek Keung Kwok, from The Szechuan Inn, Brantham, in a case heard at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Mon April 28).
The court heard that Babergh officers discovered the full extent of the poor hygiene and food standards at The Szechuan Inn during a routine inspection of the premises in September 2007.
Babergh then charged Mr Kwok with three offences: failure to keep equipment and premises clean, inappropriate use of the rear yard as a food preparation area and failure to have in place a documented food safety management system.
Mr Kwok pleaded guilty to the three charges but offered evidence of recent improvements to the premises which the Council accepted had taken place, following a pre hearing visit but an interim visit in January had demonstrated no improvement at that time.
A district judge told Mr Kwok that with his 30 years experience in the catering trade he should know that food hygiene can’t be compromised, but that he had failed in this regard.
Mr Kwok was fined £4,000 for each offence, plus a victim surcharge of £15. Mr Kwok was also ordered to pay Babergh’s costs of £4,405 - giving a total of £16,420.
Emma Richbell, Babegh’s Senior Food Safety Officer, said: "The fines imposed on Mr Kwok are punishment for the poor standards found on the premises in September last year.
“Babergh has tried to work with Mr Kwok to improve standards at the premises but sadly he did not take our advice.
“The district judge was clearly appalled at the condition of the premises as shown in the photographs, and noted the poor history of hygiene standards at the premises as an aggravating factor.
“This is the highest level of fines for any prosecution taken by the division in the last decade and sends out a clear message to food businesses that we will take enforcement action against premises who fail to comply with food safety legislation - and that the penalties can be severe.” ENDS
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