Fast food chain ordered to pay £19,000 after inspector also found mouse, flies and blood on floor in Leicester Square branch

This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has been ordered to pay out almost £19,000 after a cockroach was found eating a chip in one of the busiest branches in Britain.

The culprit up close. Photograph: Westminster council/PA

The cockroach was seen on a food dispensing counter near takeaway boxes and tongs used to serve chicken by an environmental health officer in a restaurant in the West End of London.

City of Westminster magistrates court heard that during an inspection at the Leicester Square branch the officer also saw a mouse, flies and dried blood on the floor. There was no handwash in dispensers in the food preparation area. "There was no soap in the ground-floor food preparation room so, on the day of the inspection at least, it was not possible for food preparation staff to wash their hands properly," said Michael Goodwin, prosecuting.

KFC admitted breaching five hygiene rules after the inspection in August 2008.

Goodwin said that four months before the inspection the branch had received a "specific warning" from the council about its hygiene.

David Whiting, for KFC, said the company took the inspection "very seriously".

"KFC accepts the condition that has been described to you," he said. "They fell below their own high standards and below legal standards."

Whiting said that after the inspection, KFC's pest control contractor at the time had its agreement with KFC terminated across the UK.

The Coventry Street outlet employs 65 people and operates from 10am to 3am. It has since been refurbished.

District judge Howard Riddle fined KFC £11,000 and ordered it to pay £7,927.80 in costs and a victim surcharge of £15.