A BAKERY owner whose business was given a food hygiene rating of zero has been fined more than £2,000.

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Darlington takeaway boss fined after admitting food hygiene offences

Michael Sisterton, director of Michaels Bakery, in Cockerton, Darlington, admitted six offences relating to food hygiene when he appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court today.

The court heard that during a routine inspection on September 23, an environmental health officer found the premises and equipment was not kept clean, that there was a defective floor covering and damaged walls that could not be properly cleaned.

They also found there was no hot water to the bakery’s hand basin or in the toilet, and as a result, the business was given the lowest food hygiene rating possible.

Prosecutor Amy Wennington said there was a history of poor compliance with food hygiene legislation at the business over recent years.

“The contraventions had been amended but only in the short term and by the next programme of inspection things had begun to slip again," she added.

In mitigation, Ken Wiper said his client had taken his eye off the ball because of exceptional commercial and personal pressures.

He said that following the loss of two major customers in 2012, and an extortionate electricity bill, the father-of-two had been working 80 to 90 hours every week to keep the business running.

Mr Wiper said that following the inspection, Sisterton has given the business a complete overhaul and has increased the number of employees from ten to 12, to allow him to focus more on the managerial side of the business.

“He has completely revamped the shop and has done most of the work himself - the cost to him has been more than £4,000,” he said.

“He is now better organised and he tells me that he is 100 per cent sure that the mistakes in the months leading up to the September inspection will not be repeated.”

Sisterton was ordered to pay a £2,400 fine, as well as £365 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.