The former owner of a restaurant which was dirty and infested was fined thousands by magistrates this week.

Yasar Ali Begum, the former owner of Kohinoor Restaurant on Derby Street in Great Lever, appeared at Bolton Magistrates' Court on Monday.

In an inspection at the start of last year, an Environmental Health team discovered the restaurant was dirty and infested.

The Bolton News:

Photos taken by the Environmental Health team showed a board and a drain covered in filth as well as evidence of mice.

They closed it down for several weeks, after which it was allowed to reopen as a result of a reinspection.

But Begum was charged with eight offences under the 2006 Food Hygiene Regulations, all of which he admitted at Bolton Magistrates' Court.

The Bolton News:

On Monday, he was fined £4,528 and ordered to pay £2,490 in court costs.

Garry Parker, assistant director of environment and regulatory services at the council, said: "Our Environmental Health officers did an excellent job bringing about the successful prosecution against this individual – poor food hygiene standards pose a serious threat to public health, and we will not hesitate in taking action against businesses who fall short of their legal obligations. 

"We are committed to ensuring food standards remain high throughout Bolton to safeguard our residents and visitors," he added.

Kohinoor Restaurant is now under new ownership, according to Bolton Council, but its rating is still one for "Major Improvement Necessary" as of the end of last year.

Mr Parker advised checking the rating of a restaurant before buying from it.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.