Wife's illness blamed for bakery filth

Published on Wednesday 16 April 2008 14:22

THE owner of an Edinburgh bakery had his shop closed by environmental health officers after taking time off to care for his epileptic wife.

Martin Bennett, 38, admits he "took the eye off the ball" when his wife's condition deteriorated in 2006 and she could not help out with the business.

After a tip-off, an investigation found dead cockroaches and mice droppings on the shelves and surfaces of the kitchen at Bennetts Home Bakery, in Yeaman Place, Fountainbridge.

The owner of the family firm has now rectified the problems, spending 6000 on refurbishments and introducing a strict hygiene regime.

But despite these measures, Bennett was fined 800 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday after admitting four food hygiene charges.

Fiscal depute Bruce Macrosson told the court: "After an anonymous complaint about unhygienic conditions in the bakery officers from the environmental health service conducted a visit.

"They discovered food debris, dead cockroaches and mice droppings on the floor, shelves, surfaces, fixtures and fittings."

The officers got a court order to shut the Fountainbridge bakers, which sells everything from bread to sausage rolls, down.

Bennett, of Yeaman Place, Edinburgh, said he was "extremely ashamed and embarrassed" about the filth found during the July 7, 2007 inspection.

His defence solicitor, Carol Gowans, said: "It is a family business and his wife played a large part in the running of the business up to 2006.

"She has severe epilepsy and her part in the business became less and less while Mr Bennett became her full-time carer.

"After this incident the shop was thoroughly cleaned and foodstuffs binned. Procedures are now in place and records are kept."

Bennett handed over a cleaning rota to Sheriff Johanna Johnston.

She said the Bennett family had been trading from the store for ten years without any trouble, while the bakery itself had been there for 16 years.

Miss Gowans added that since the find the firm had spent 6000 on a refit while working with health officials who visit the bakers, which turns a 7000 profit each year, every couple of months.

Sheriff Johnston said: "I'm sure anyone would have sympathy with you but when you take on the responsibility of producing food for the public you have to maintain the standards expected."