A DUDLEY takeaway owner has been handed a hefty court bill after inspectors discovered a series of hygiene problems.

Wei Keung Chiu, owner of Ken’s takeaway in Wolverhampton Street, pleaded guilty to nine offences under the food hygiene regulations at Dudley Magistrates Court.

Dudley Council environmental health officers carried out an inspection of the takeaway in September 2014 and found that the premises and equipment were dirty and not maintained in good condition.

They also found that staff had not been provided with hand drying facilities, that procedures to deal with pests were inadequate and that food safety hazards had not been assessed.

The shop received a hygiene rating of only one out of five at the inspection.

Magistrates imposed a fine of £2,025 and ordered 57-year-old Chui to pay costs of £2,316.80 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for health, said: “Whilst we prefer to work with businesses to secure compliance with the law, we will not hesitate to take legal action against the minority of food businesses proprietors who do not take our advice on board and who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

“Nearly half of all food outlets in the borough are achieving the top hygiene rating of five and the vast majority achieve a satisfactory rating of three or more.

"If you check the hygiene ratings online or look out for the certificate in the premises you are visiting, it will give you a glimpse of what is going on in the kitchen when you eat out, or behind the scenes of the places you shop atDudley Council environmental health officers carry out regular inspections of food premises in the borough to advise food business owners and ensure they meet all food safety and hygiene requirements."

Ratings in Dudley can be viewed online at www.dudley.gov.uk/foodsafety or at www.food.gov.uk/ratings.