THE owner of a Chinese takeaway has been warned he could be facing prison after health inspectors closed his shop when they discovered it in a filthy condition.

When the First Dawn takeaway, in Middlesbrough, was inspected in March, it was in such an appalling condition that it was closed immediately, a court heard.

Shop owner Xioa Shi pleaded guilty to five breaches of food hygiene regulations when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Photographs taken by Middlesbrough Council health inspectors showed filthy worktops, a toilet covered in faeces, cooked food next to uncooked food and no readily-available hot water supply.

The takeaway was closed using emergency powers on March 28 because of the imminent risks to health.

The law did not allow Shi to trade until officers were satisfied that the conditions in the premises had improved.

However, three days later, officers who were monitoring the premises found that the owner had chosen to open, and was operating illegally.

Shi, 29, who had only just opened when the inspection took place, claimed the premises were in a filthy condition when he took over.

Jane Smith, prosecuting, said: "He had been in business for four months and said it was dirty when he took over. One would expect him to have cleaned it when he took over.

"The toilet facilities at the rear of the premises were covered in faecal matter."

After a few days of intensive cleaning, Shi was allowed to re-open the takeaway in Glebe Road, and since then he had raised the standard of cleanliness, she said.

David Lamb, for Shi, asked the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox to consider a financial penalty - each breach could receive a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Judge Fox said: "I want to see six months of audited accounts for me to consider making a financial penalty. I would not take it at this stage that it is going to be a fine. I am not decided one way or another.

"Unless you provide these accounts, I do not see how I could pass a sentence by way of financial penalty."

The case was adjourned until next Friday, when Shi should be sentenced.