AN INFESTATION of cockroaches was found in the kitchen of a Hampshire takeaway, a court heard.

Now the owner has been ordered to pay fines of more than £4,500 after failing to comply with a string of food hygiene regulations.

Environmental Health officers found unclean food preparation areas, and dirt and grease deposits in food containers, while inspecting the kitchen of the Forest King restaurant in Hampton Lane, Blackfield. They also discovered cockroaches behind a cool box.

Owner Abdul Noor, 56, of Rownhams Road, Maybush, faces paying a total of £4,620 after pleading guilty to three charges of failing to comply with food hygiene regulations.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how inspectors from New Forest District Council visited the business on November 8 last year.

Amanda Wilson, prosecuting, told the court how they found grease and oil on the oven, chillers, and on the ceiling, that had been built up over a period of time.

She said an officer spotted an adult cockroach on one of the food preparation surfaces and laid a trap.

They returned a day later to find the area around the trap had “undergone extensive cleaning” and no cockroaches were found, Miss Wilson added.

She told magistrates further inspection found cleanliness had improved. But officers unearthed a “full life cycle” of live cockroaches and eggs when moving the cool box in the kitchen.

The court heard how Mr Noor had admitted in interview that he had noticed the cockroaches and tried to deal with it by using sprays and powders.

Jon Payne, defending, told the court how Mr Noor believed the cleanliness of the kitchen was the responsibility of the head chef who had since been dismissed following disciplinary action.

He added Mr Noor acted quickly in carrying out full cleaning procedures following the inspection, including hiring the services of a pest control contractor to deal with the cockroaches.

He said: “For Mr Noor there was a lack of supervision on his behalf and he regrets that greatly, but he leaped into action when the problems were there.”

In a statement outside court, Mr Payne said on Mr Noor’s behalf that they were disappointed at the level of fine, and added: “Everything is tickety boo now.

“If anyone has any doubts, come along and have a look in the kitchen yourself.”