Pictures: Darlington takeaway owner fined for food hygiene offences

The former owner of Salt and Pepper, in Darlington - which is now run by a different operator and with a new name - was in court on Tuesday charged with breaches of hygiene regulations.

It followed a routine visit from Darlington Borough Council's environmental health team last May.

Read more: No Darlington businesses have zero food hygiene rating

The authority has now released some of the pictures taken by the team on May 17, which show a grime-laden oven and dirty fridge, as well as full bin bags and other rubbish left on the floor. 

The takeaway in Larchfield Road has since been taken over by a new operator and is open under a new name. 

A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said: "Environmental health ensured the business was properly cleaned before it was allowed to reopen and took court action in the interests of public health."

Salt and Pepper was given a hygiene rating of zero following the inspection - the lowest rating. 

And Jeffrey Savage, trading as Salt and Pepper, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Read more: Man recreates Darlington Savoury recipe and goes viral on TikTok

He was fined a total of £360 after pleading guilty to three offences. 

Savage admitted failing to keep his premises clean, failing to keep equipment clean and failing to implement a food safety system based on the principles of hazard analysis at Salt and Pepper. 

Savage, of Brighton Road, Darlington, was also told to pay costs of £475 and a £36 surcharge to fund victim, giving him a court bill of £871.

Anyone can report a concern about food hygiene or cleanliness in a commercial kitchen.

For further details visit: https://www.darlington.gov.uk/environment.../food-safety/

An environmental health officer will investigate any concerns on top of routine visits.