Staff at a Mid Wales restaurant used a wooden cricket bat to stir curry, a court heard.

Chun-Hung Cheung, of Mandarin House, Market Street, Knighton, was fined £2,515 after admitting a string of food hygiene offences, including rat droppings being found in the kitchen.

The 59-year-old admitted five offences, including failing to keep the premises clean, failing to put in place adequate procedures to control pests entering the premises and keep food contact and preparation equipment in good repair.

Brecon Magistrates Court heard Powys County Council environmental health officers had visited Mandarin House to carry out a routine food hygiene inspection on March 5, 2008.

During the inspection, officers found “rat activity” in the premises with rat droppings in the food storage rooms and in the kitchen.

They said evidence of “gnawing” was also observed on items found at the premises, including a wooden cricket bat, which had previously been used to stir curry.

The court heard numerous pest entry points were found into the premises, which had not been adequately proofed and the standards of cleanliness were unsatisfactory. A drain in the rear yard was also found to be full of congealed grease.

The court heard how the cricket bat had been used “once” to stir a curry and the rats had only “gnawed” it after it had been used.

At the time of the visit, Cheung offered to shut the business, which remained closed until the rat activity at the premises had been eradicated and the pest entry points had been suitably proofed.

Councillor Graham Brown, board member responsible for public protection, said: “I’m delighted with the outcome of this case. Food hygiene is an important public health issue that the council takes seriously.

“The presence of rats in a food premises presents a significant risk to health.  When officers find these conditions in food premises, immediate action has to be taken to protect the health of the public.”

Cheung was fined £400 for each offence and ordered to pay £500 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The court also heard how Cheung had failed to put in place adequate procedures to control pests and implement and maintain food safety management procedures.

By Anwen Evans