Chippy fined over mouse droppings

The court heard a dead mouse and droppings were found in the basement

The owner of an Edinburgh takeaway, which was found to have a dead mouse and droppings, has been fined £1,200.

Inspectors made the discovery at Carlo Corolla's Clifton Fish and Chicken bar, when they carried out a routine hygiene check.

Corolla, 41, previously admitted three charges of breaching food regulations on 3 February this year, at the Clifton Terrace premises.

Corolla, from West Calder, said he had the mouse problem fixed in a day.

At an earlier hearing, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard a dead mouse and droppings were found in the basement and a bag of packaging used to serve customers also contained droppings.

He wasn't aware that he had any mice in the premises, had he known he would have dealt with matters immediately Jim Grant Defence agent

Ice cream wafers had also been contaminated with mouse urine, the court was told.

Fiscal depute Sally Clark said a boarded up window would have allowed mice access into the building.

She added inspecting officers thought the premises posed an "imminent risk to customers health" and it was closed down immediately.

Defence agent Jim Grant told the court Corolla's position was that the problem was sorted out within a day.

He said: "He has been an operator of a takeaway food business for about six years and three at the present premises, without incident.

"He wasn't aware that he had any mice in the premises, had he known he would have dealt with matters immediately.

"He regrets the situation and would never knowingly put his customers at risk."

Sheriff Neil MacKinnon told Corolla: "These are serious matters but there is information before the court that the premises has been improved."