Butcher fined £6k for hygiene breaches

Allen Beamish, of the Triangle Butchery, Lowestoft, admitted breaching the food hygiene regulations when he appeared before Lowestoft magistrates. The court heard that during a first visit in October a quantity of pork meat covered in mould that was attracting flies was removed.

In December on a second visit local environmental halth officer Tony Burgess gave evidence that more putrid meat was found.He told the court: "On a close examination of this meat, I was acutely aware of a foul smell that I would associate with spoilage and putrefaction. Many surfaces of the meat had visible bacterial colony growths on them. Some of the meat was covered with yellow slime so thick I could scrape it off with my fingers."

In mitigation Beamish said the incidents were a one off due to personal circumstances and an injury at the time to his arm.

But fining him District Judge David Cooper said: "I have to say that you really let yourself down. You are a qualified man and the premises were really in quite a state. But this is your first time in court and I believe it will be your last."

Beamish was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £3,400 in costs.

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