A company has been fined after a rodent infestation was discovered at a Leyton convenience store in 2019.

Food spillages, rat droppings and gnawed food packaging were discovered at Sambros International - trading as Aryubi Express - by environmental health officers, Waltham Forest Council said.

The Food Standards Agency's routine inspection was carried out on December 11, 2019.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: According to council officers, food was found on display that had been eaten by ratsAccording to council officers, food was found on display that had been eaten by rats (Image: Waltham Forest Council)

The proprietor at the time, Ehsan Sherzad, failed to attend multiple hearings and the case was also subject to Covid-19 delays, the council said.

The shop - now under a new name, New Wave Super Market LTD - has been under new management since November 2021.

The case was finally heard in Mr Sherzad's absence on Tuesday, January 31 at Thames Magistrates' Court.

His company – ISA (UK) Enterprises Limited - was ordered to pay a £25,000 fine as well as cover £1,709 in costs and a victim surcharge of £190.

The 29-year-old company director previously received a written warning following an inspection on May 14 2019, resulting in a food hygiene rating of 1 for the convenience store. 

Council officers told the court that "a rat infestation was found on the premises, including food on display for sale that had been eaten by rats".

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Officers also found rat droppings and food spillages on the premisesOfficers also found rat droppings and food spillages on the premises (Image: Waltham Forest Council)

Cllr Khevyn Limbajee, cabinet member for community safety, said: "The sizeable financial penalty in this case should go some way towards illustrating the extent of the offences and the failure of Mr Sherzad to heed repeated warnings."