Disgusting pictures reveal filthy rat-infested takeaway littered with droppings, where rodents had chewed through a doorway

A filthy rat infested takeaway was found littered with mouse droppings inside a doorway that had been chewed by rodents.

The burger restaurant was fined £17,000 by inspectors for breaching 15 food safety regulations.

Rat droppings were found strewn through Stonehouse Burgers' store room in Swansea and the takeaway's preparation area was also found to be caked in dirt and grease.

Food inspectors believe the penalty may be the biggest ever given to a business in Swansea.

Shahzahan Hussain appeared at Swansea Crown Court he was ordered to pay a total of £17,424 in fines and costs for 15 food safety breaches.

Some of the breaches occurred at his other premises, The Curry Centre, in Approach Road, Manselton, which although not infested with rats was found to fall far below hygiene standards.

The judge emphasised that food standards were of the highest priority and said it was extremely fortunate there had been no catastrophe because of the filthy takeaways.

Mr Hussain, of Swansea should be ashamed of himself, the judge added.

Both takeaways have now been given a hygiene rating of zero out five by the Food Standards Agency, reported the South Wales Evening Post.

The court case followed repeated calls by Swansea Council's food and safety officers for Mr Hussain to improve standards.

Swansea Council said court action had been a last resort after the owner failed to act on a series of hygiene improvement notices he was issued with following multiple inspections.

Mark Child, cabinet member for wellbeing and healthy city, said the conditions posed a "serious risk" to diners.

"It is completely unacceptable that anyone running a food establishment can operate in this manner and I am pleased the court has chosen to hand out the sentence it has," he said.

"We gave the owner numerous opportunities to do the right thing and improve hygiene standards at both premises. We now know he failed to take appropriate action to improve standards and has paid a heavy price.

"It's through sheer luck that no one that ate at his business suffered any health issues such as food poisoning or worse.

"Hopefully this will send out a serious message to other food businesses in Swansea that think it is okay to operate well below the acceptable hygiene standards.

"The excellent work of our council officers has ensured that consumers continue to be protected."