A FORMER Aberystwyth restaurateur has been fined £1,000 and banned from running any food business after health inspectors found evidence of a rat infestation and food 37 days past its use-by date.

Irashadur Rahman, who ran the former Spice of Bengal restaurant in Portland Road which closed in 2013, pleaded guilty to 10 food hygiene offences with magistrates hearing that an inspection revealed rat droppings, mouldy food and pest infested raw ingredients were found.

An investigation was launched by Ceredigion County Council following a complaint in 2013 with magistrates hearing that there were rat droppings throughout the restaurant and kitchen, dirty cloths had been used to clean food preparation surfaces, raw ingredients had been infested with pests and mouldy food, some of which was 37 days beyond its use-by date, was still in the fridge.

Rahman, who now lives in Romford, had initially denied the charges claiming he was not at the restaurant at the time, but pleaded guilty to the charges after he appeared in Aberystwyth Justice Centre following his arrest after he failed to appear in court for the original hearing.

He was fined £1,000 and will pay costs totalling £1,515, but magistrates also imposed an order banning him from managing or operating a food business.

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