Supermarket fined £500,000 after mouse droppings found in food
Shocking images show mouse droppings on food at a supermarket which was later fined more than £500,000.
Warley Supermarket, in Smethwick, West Midlands, was prosecuted for pest infestation and dangerous shelving following repeated non-compliance with enforcement notices.
The supermarket, director Mandeep Kaur Mandair and senior manager Raminder Mandair pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations 2013 and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Senior manager Sukhbir Mandair pleaded not guilty to offences under the Food Safety Hygiene Regulations and was convicted of all offences after trial.
The defendants appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court for sentencing on 13 September following a successful prosecution led by Sandwell Council’s Environmental Health Team.
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Warley Supermarket was ordered to pay £60,000 for food safety offences and £480,000 for Health and Safety offences, plus costs of £16,191.20, with the total amount payable being £556,191.20.
Mandeep Kaur Mandair received eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
She was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, pay costs of £16,191.20 and pay a victim surcharge.
Raminder Mandair received 16 months imprisonment suspended for two years and was also given a six-month electronic curfew between 8pm and 6am.
He was ordered to pay costs of £16,191.20 and was told to pay a victim surcharge.
The sentencing of Sukhbir Mandair was adjourned and a new date will be set.
Councillor Bob Piper, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “In Sandwell we value our local businesses and want them to continue to deliver high quality services and facilities.
“But shoppers and workers in Sandwell have the right to go about their daily business, feeling safe and protected.
“The work of Sandwell’s Environmental Health Team in bringing cases, like this one against Warley Supermarkets (UK) Ltd, helps keep us all safe and I would commend their efforts to protect us all.”
