A business owner from High Wycombe has been slapped with fines of more than £6,000 after council investigators found a rat and cockroach infestation in a store in Reading. 

Stunned council investigators were left horrified when they carried out an inspection at Reading Quality Foods and Al-Muzammil Halal Meats, in Northumberland Avenue.

Muhammed Nasar, 35, of Bevelwood Gardens, was hauled up in front of a judge to face prosecution in relation to his business, Al-Muzammil Halal Meats, which operated within Reading Quality Foods.

He admitted 20 food and hygiene safety offences and was slapped with fines and costs of more than £6,000.

The judge at Reading Magistrates ruled that he had “flagrantly disregarded the regulations”.

Reading Borough Council investigators raided the food stores in 2016 and served an enforcement notice after finding cockroaches on the food preparation surfaces.

But the businesses failed to comply with the notice and have now ceased to trade.

Officers launched an investigation after a tradesman spotted rats scurrying around the area.

A council spokesman, said: “In November 2016, following a tip off from a tradesman who reported seeing 10-15 rats running throughout the store, officers visited the premises and found an array of serious hygiene violations.

“This included a widespread rat infestation throughout the premises, a substantial hole in the floor that appeared to be as a result of rat damage and a cockroach infestation at the butchers.

“Food was found on display at Reading Quality Foods that had been gnawed and damaged by rats and contaminated with rat faeces.

“Fresh droppings were found in boxes where food was displayed. Droppings were found across the premises on the floor, on shelves, on food products and under equipment including on freezer handles.

“Live cockroaches were found at the butchers on the work surfaces and living in kitchen equipment. Cockroaches were also found within one of the freezers at Reading Quality Food.”

Satpal Singh Nangpal, of Heston Avenue, Hounslow, also appeared at court on a separate occasion to face prosecution and admitted 27 charges.

He was fined £3,928 and ordered to pay more than £1,000 in legal costs.

Both businesses are now under new management.