THE owner of a takeaway has been fined more than £4,000 after a customer found a piece of wire in a serving of noodles.

A complaint about the Green Dragon in Finkle Hill, Sherburn-in-Elmet, triggered an investigation which found the kitchen in a poor condition with mould and rat droppings, inadequate pest control measures in place, and wash basins in the toilet without soap or hygienic hand-drying equipment.

Zhong Le Chen, of Topcliffe Mount, Selby, who runs the Green Dragon, appeared before York Magistrates’ Court facing four charges of breaching health and safety regulations.

The court heard a customer had reported the business last summer after ordering a portion of chicken noodles, and finding a piece of wire in it, prompting an investigation by Selby District Council.

Chen pleaded guilty to four counts of contravening food hygiene regulations. He pleaded not guilty to selling food not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser, and the council withdrew the charge.

He was fined £1,000 for each of the four guilty pleas, and ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs, and a £120 victim surcharge.

Tim Grogan, senior enforcement officer for Selby council, welcomed the result, and said: “This prosecution clearly demonstrates that Selby District Council will take all necessary enforcement action where people who supply food to the public are found to be blameworthy and breaches of legislation are considered detrimental to people’s health.”

In November last year, as part of the national Scores On The Doors initiative, the Green Dragon was inspected by the Foods Standards Agency, which gave it a rating of two out of five, stating improvement was needed.

According to the FSA, the cleanliness, layout and condition of the structure and ventilation were poor, although the food hygiene standards were deemed good.