THE OWNER of a food store in Middlesbrough has been convicted over a serious mouse infestation.

Jabar Mohammed Hussain, owner of Boro Parade on Parliament Road, pleaded guilty at Teesside Magistrates' Court to five offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations 2013.

Hussain, 45 of King William Street in Coventry was fined £560 and had to pay a £56 victim surcharge and costs of £547.

His charges related to the visit by Middlesbrough Council enivronmental health officers in October, 2017 when they found evidence of widespread mouse infestation and food products contaminated with mouse droppings.

On Tuesday, January 15 Hussain pleaded guilty to failing to register his food business, failing to keep the premises clean and keep food equipment clean, failing to ensure foods were protected from contamination and failing to ensure adequate procedures were in place to control pests.

In 2017, a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition notice was served on Hussain who had to close the store with immediate effect.

His store was not able to re-open until officers were satisfied that the premises had been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to satisfactory measures.

Judith Hedgley head of public protection at Middlesbrough Council said: "The conditions found at Boro Parade seriously breached the hygiene laws that require food businesses to be kept free from pests and foods to be protected from contamination"

"As a result of the conditions found, the safety of foods had been put at risk, having mice in a food business is a serious risk to public health."