A BLACKBURN shopkeeper has been blasted by a judge after inspectors found a decaying rat carcass inside.

Muhammed Afzal, of Sharples Street, Accrington, who runs a One Stop Shop in Cheshire, has been slapped with a suspended prison sentence for food safety offences, described as 'the worst condition' officers of 30 years' experience had ever seen.

The 28-year-old was the sole trader of the shop, and received a four-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.

A court heard that during an inspection at his premises on January 12, 2018, Regulatory Services officers carried out a routine food hygiene inspection and found very poor standards of cleaning throughout and evidence of a rat and mouse infestation.

There was evidence of pests discovered throughout the premises, with rodent droppings, foul odours, gnawed packets of food and a decaying rat carcass all found on site.

The officers secured a voluntary closure of the premises and the business is no longer trading.

While Afzal had engaged the service of a pest control company, Judge Brandon stated in sentencing remarks that Afzal had failed to follow their recommendations.

He did not carry out a deep clean of the premises - in Delamere Street in Winsford - and remove the droppings and the dead rat.

Judge Brandon stated that there was a clear risk to the health of the general public and staff and that this could not be ignored.

Cheshire West and Chester Council director Maria Byrne said: “The safety of customers must be the top priority for any food business and food safety officers within our Regulatory Services team work proactively to help business owners comply with legislation and meet hygiene standards.

“This case demonstrates the serious consequences of clear breaches of food safety and hygiene law.

"The council has a duty to protect the health of the general public and in this case, officers had witnessed extremely poor conditions that posed a significant risk to the public and staff working at the premises.

“Afzal had a complete lack of knowledge about food safety and had operated the business in an extremely poor and unsafe manner.

"The action of the council sends a clear message that such conditions will not be tolerated in food businesses operating in Cheshire West and Chester.”

As well as the suspended sentence, Afzal received 20 days' Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, 120 hours of unpaid work and was also ordered to pay £500 towards the costs incurred by the council.

The judge said the issuing of the hygiene prohibition order was needed to protect public health in the future.