A date has been set for a shop to be sentenced for severe breaches of food safety rules that saw rats gnaw hot dogs and droppings found on the floor.

Samy Ltd, the operators of Budgens located in Premier Parade, Stockton, landed in hot water after inspectors found rodent-gnawed hotdogs on sale last year.

At Teesside Magistrates' Court on September 12, 2023, the company accepted guilt that unsafe food had been put on the market.

The two packs of 8 x 90g Rollover beechwood smoked hotdogs were heavily gnawed and partially eaten by pests, according to evidence presented by Stockton Borough Council, the case informer.

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Further allegations entailed failure to maintain adequate pest control, with signs of rodent activity in the kitchen including droppings and smear marks.

The court also heard that the cleanliness of the premises was neglected with rat droppings strewn across the floor.

Samy Ltd's sentencing has been deferred and is scheduled for April 9, 2024 at 2pm at Teesside Magistrates' Court.