On 14 February, Muthu Kumaravelu, the sole director of India Bazzar (PVT) Ltd, 103 Broad Street, pleaded guilty to six breaches of food hygiene regulations at Swindon Magistrates Court and was fined £20,000.
He was also ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £6,479, as well as a victim surcharge of £2,000, while the business was fined £500, plus a victim surcharge of £200. This resulted in a total amount owing to the court of £29,179.
The prosecution was brought against Kumaravelu after environmental health inspectors from Swindon Borough Council visited the store on 2 November 2023 and immediately noticed large quantities of rat droppings on the floor and on shelving.
Large quantities of ready-to-eat foods such as biscuits, pastries, salt and peanuts had been gnawed by the rodents, while inspectors also found a bag of flour stained with urine laying on the floor, smear marks on the walls and on food packaging, a strong smell of rat urine in the shop, and gnawed electrical cables above shelving units.
The store was subsequently closed down for six weeks following the filing of a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice, with one council inspector described the rat infestation as the worst she had ever seen throughout her 24-year career.
The business was allowed to reopen on 11 December 2023 after improvements had been made, despite Kumaravelu initially denying that there was an active infestation. He also blamed staff for not disposing of gnawed food and for taping up products.
“It took six weeks and several visits for the property to be ready to re-open with the same advice given over and over,” said Simon Kiely, Swindon Borough Council prosecutor.
“It is clear that Mr Kumaravelu, both on his own behalf and on behalf of the business, was clearly and evidently aware of the extensive rat infestation at the premises on and prior to 2 November 2023, but had failed to take sufficient steps to address the infestation until the prosecuting authority’s intervention.”
John Bishop, who was representing India Bazzar and Kumaravelu, told the court the problem origination due to a lack of funds and that his client had gone to considerable lengths to remedy the issues, and had now learned his lesson.
Following the hearing, Councillor Jim Grant added: “Our Environmental Health Officers found appalling conditions at this premises, as confirmed by the court, and took decisive action to protect the health of Swindon residents.
“We are pleased the court imposed such a significant sentence. I hope it sends a strong message that food hygiene needs to be taken extremely seriously.
“Food business operators should ensure their premises are protected from the impact of pests at all times, as infestations can quickly escalate, and present significant risks to both their customers and their business.”
