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Fine over rats at food warehouse Fine over rats at food warehouse
(about 2 hours later)
A massive rat infestation was found at a firm supplying food to care homes and schools across west Wales, Swansea Crown Court has heard. An "extensive" rat infestation was found at a firm supplying food to care homes and schools across west Wales, Swansea Crown Court has heard.
Rodent faeces, bird droppings, maggots and dead rats were found on or close to food at the Skelfayre warehouse in Pembroke Dock.Rodent faeces, bird droppings, maggots and dead rats were found on or close to food at the Skelfayre warehouse in Pembroke Dock.
A large amount of food was recalled and destroyed after the find in July 2006.A large amount of food was recalled and destroyed after the find in July 2006.
Skelfayre director Edward Lewis, 67, was fined £16,900 but the judge heard the company was now insolvent.Skelfayre director Edward Lewis, 67, was fined £16,900 but the judge heard the company was now insolvent.
Mr Lewis and the company, which supplied over 300 establishments in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, admitted to two counts under food hygiene laws at an earlier hearing.Mr Lewis and the company, which supplied over 300 establishments in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, admitted to two counts under food hygiene laws at an earlier hearing.
She had never seen such an extensive infestation Lee Reynolds, prosecutorShe had never seen such an extensive infestation Lee Reynolds, prosecutor
Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire Council, Lee Reynolds said environment health officer Sara Sharp made a routine visit to the premises on the Kingswood trading estate on 4 July 2006.Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire Council, Lee Reynolds said environment health officer Sara Sharp made a routine visit to the premises on the Kingswood trading estate on 4 July 2006.
She found rat droppings on food products and bird faeces on cans of milk.She found rat droppings on food products and bird faeces on cans of milk.
A large amount of food had spilled out of its packaging onto the floor.A large amount of food had spilled out of its packaging onto the floor.
A dead rat was found under a pallet of cookie mix and rat droppings on bags of crisps.A dead rat was found under a pallet of cookie mix and rat droppings on bags of crisps.
Mr Reynolds said in one instance "rat urine looked as if it had caused damp patches on the food".Mr Reynolds said in one instance "rat urine looked as if it had caused damp patches on the food".
Rat droppings were found on food products at the store Hygiene inspectors discovered the vermin at the warehouse
He said: "She had never seen such an extensive infestation".He said: "She had never seen such an extensive infestation".
There was evidence rats had gnawed food including chocolate and ice cream, and in one instance, a dead rat was found on the floor writhing with maggots.There was evidence rats had gnawed food including chocolate and ice cream, and in one instance, a dead rat was found on the floor writhing with maggots.
He said a team of 11 environmental health officers spent nine days investigating and clearing up the site.He said a team of 11 environmental health officers spent nine days investigating and clearing up the site.
The council went to court to get a prohibition order preventing further food leaving the warehouse and an extensive product recall was also imposed.The council went to court to get a prohibition order preventing further food leaving the warehouse and an extensive product recall was also imposed.
"Skips and skips of food, large industrial containers, were disposed of," said Mr Reynolds."Skips and skips of food, large industrial containers, were disposed of," said Mr Reynolds.
In mitigation David Harris said: "This is not a case where any injury to health was caused by the rat infestation".In mitigation David Harris said: "This is not a case where any injury to health was caused by the rat infestation".
'Quite outrageous'
He said Mr Lewis had been unaware of the conditions at the warehouse and day-to-day running was carried out by managers.He said Mr Lewis had been unaware of the conditions at the warehouse and day-to-day running was carried out by managers.
Rat droppings were found on food products at the store
He told the judge, Skelfayre had since ceased trading and was insolvent.He told the judge, Skelfayre had since ceased trading and was insolvent.
The judge was told it had now been taken over by Luther Lewis Drefach Limited of which Lewis was also a director. The judge was told it had now been taken over by Luther Lewis Drefach Limited, of which Lewis was also a director.
"There is a different regime there now in place," added Mr Harris."There is a different regime there now in place," added Mr Harris.
Sentencing, Judge Michael Burr said the failure was "wholesale and lamentable".Sentencing, Judge Michael Burr said the failure was "wholesale and lamentable".
He said it was really a "quite outrageous" way for a company to be run.He said it was really a "quite outrageous" way for a company to be run.
"The public are entitled to be assured that any food that is supplied to them is wholesome, clean and unaffected by the sorts of things we've heard about in this case," said the judge."The public are entitled to be assured that any food that is supplied to them is wholesome, clean and unaffected by the sorts of things we've heard about in this case," said the judge.
Lewis was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £8,900 costs.Lewis was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £8,900 costs.
Skelfayre was fined £200 and also ordered to pay £8,900 costs but the judge said he was certain "not one penny of that money" would ever be recovered.Skelfayre was fined £200 and also ordered to pay £8,900 costs but the judge said he was certain "not one penny of that money" would ever be recovered.
In a statement, Pembrokeshire County Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environment, Planning and Regulatory Services said the case was the most serious infestation officers had dealt with.