Liz Coates A GREAT Yarmouth shopkeeper has been fined nearly £6,000 for a string of offences which included flytipping pigs' heads and allowing smoking near un-covered food.

Liz Coates

A GREAT Yarmouth shopkeeper has been fined nearly £6,000 for a string of offences which included flytipping pigs' heads and allowing smoking near un-covered food.

Joao Eduardo Andrade Galante, director of Lusa Mini Market, St Peter's Road, appeared before Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Galante, of King Street, Great Yarmouth, pleaded guilty to four offences.

Dumping the skinned pigs' heads, trotters and other meat waste at Fishers Opening, Middle Market Road, led to the largest fine of £2,250.

The other offences were allowing smoking in an office and an area containing uncovered food at the mini-market; storing bags of plaster, sawdust and general waste beside uncovered hams; and having no provision for the disposal or storage of food waste, non edible by-products and other refuse.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council, which brought the prosecution, was awarded costs of £584 including £100 for the collection and disposal of the fly tipped meat.

“This case highlights a number of offences and show that the environmental health department is prepared to prosecute to help stop these kinds of bad practices,” said Kate Watts, commercial team manager.

“We discovered who had dumped the meat because of identification left on the carcase remains, then when visiting the premises the other offences came to light. Leaving food next to building waste and allowing smoking in the same area defy belief.

“If members of the public spot issues like flytipping or bad hygiene in food premises we would appreciate a call from them.”

For help or information on food hygiene for commercial premises contact Kate Watts on 01493 846 547.