THE proprietor of a pub in Gristhorpe, near Filey, has been fined £600 for serious breaches of food hygiene regulations.

Darran Geary, owner of the Bull Inn on Gristhorpe’s Main Street, pleaded guilty to three food hygiene offences at Scarborough Magistrates Court on August 11.

In addition to the £600 fine, Mr Geary was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £875 and a £60 victim surcharge; a total of £1,535.

The breaches at the pub included out of date and mouldy food, poor cleanliness and lack of a food safety management system.

Scarborough Borough Council said it decided to prosecute the publican after one of its environmental health officers carried out a re-visit at the premises in May to check compliance with legal requirements following a routine unannounced inspection in April, which resulted in the business receiving a score of 1 on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

A council spokespersopn said: "The officer found a number of food items that were either past the manufacturer’s or packer’s use by date, had no indication of shelf life or were unfit with white mould growth on the food.

"The officer found the kitchen to be in a dirty condition, especially around the cooking and pot washing area and there was no evidence of an effective food safety management system."

A total of four separate visits were carried out while the pub was open to the public and serving food, including the initial inspection.

On each occasion a variety of food items were found to be out of date or had no indication of shelf life.

Jonathan Bramley, Scarborough Borough Council, Environment and Regulation Manager, said: "It is disappointing that despite considerable time and effort spent educating and advising Mr Geary, he repeatedly failed to heed our advice.

"This was a clear breach of the food hygiene legislation, which is in place to protect the public.

"Food businesses are responsible for ensuring that their premises are kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition to ensure that they produce food in a safe and hygienic manner and in a clean environment.

"We will take action against any food business which does not comply with food safety requirements."