Belmont Bakery’s owner Stephen Doughty has been fined £10,000 for breaching food hygiene regulations, after a resident found a dropping in a bread roll.

Doughty, of the Twickenham-based bakery, appeared at Richmond Magistrates Court on Wednesday 4 January, where he admitted charges of failing to comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006, as reported in the Richmond and Twickenham Times.

Environmental health officers visited the premises in October 2012 following a tip-off where they discovered dirt, dust and food waste on the floor and shelving areas. In addition, mouse droppings were found on floors, under trays and shelving and on window ledges.

After receiving the verdict on 3 January (Tuesday), following a previous court appearance at Richmond Magistrates Court back in December, which was adjourned after Doughty had been issued a bankruptcy notice in November, Belmont Bakery was closed.

In response to the verdict, Doughty said: “It has been the worst three years of my life. I have owned this bakery for 20 years and nothing like this has ever been brought against me before.”

Councillor Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Belmont Bakery has now closed down for other reasons, but we would require Mr Doughty to carry out a very thorough deep clean and repair of the whole premises if he re-opens in the future.”

In addition to the fine, Doughty was ordered to pay £6,000 towards the council’s costs in prosecuting the case.

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