A FOOD wholesaler was fined yesterday after officials discovered an infestation of cockroaches at two of its premises, a court heard.

Darlington Retail Limited, which supplies restaurants and takeaways across the Tees Valley, was closed down on October 13, last year, after authorities were alerted.

Environmental health officers subsequently found between 20 and 30 German cockroaches in their traps and concluded they had been there a considerable time.

The outlets both trade from Gladstone Street, in Darlington, under the name East West Foods, but one shop still carries an old sign reading Surma Food Store.

They reopened six days later after pest control experts had dealt with the outbreak.

The company has retained the pest control company to ensure there are no more problems, Darlington Magistrates’ Court was told.

The insects were initially found in restaurants in the Redcar and Cleveland area.

Amy Byrne, prosecuting for Darlington Borough Council, said officers had visited the Darlington premises, laid traps and returned three days later to find they had been removed.

The company’s owner, Sirajul Miah, told them the cleaner had taken them by mistake, the court heard.

The officers laid more traps and when they returned, there were several German cockroaches in each one.

Mr Miah told officials he was aware of the problem but had not told anyone because he was afraid environmental health would be called in, said Miss Byrne.

The premises were closed through emergency powers, before a court order on October 14 granted closure until the council decided the problem was under control.

“There were live cockroaches running along the walls and floors of both premises,” said Miss Byrne.

She said cockroaches were found in every stage of the life cycle, which indicated the “infestation had been present for a considerable period of time.”

Mr Miah, who was unrepresented, said: “It was my stupidity.

I didn’t realise how bad the infestation was.”

He admitted two counts of failing to comply with keeping his premises free from pests and was fined £200 with £357.50 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.