Carl Boothby, formerly the owner of West Sussex Bakery in The Parade, East Wittering, was prosecuted for seven food hygiene offences after District Council inspectors found a moth infestation in an open bag of flour, a failure to protect foodstuffs from contamination, a failure to keep the premises and equipment clean and a general failure to maintain the premises.

Mr Boothby pleaded guilty at Chichester Magistrates Court on January 23 to all offences and was given a Prohibition Order, preventing him from being involved in the management of any food premises in the future. He was also given a two-year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay a contribution towards the Council's legal costs.

Mr Boothby is no longer connected to the West Sussex Bakery and it is now under new ownership. The premises have since been returned to an acceptable standard by the new owners.

Councillor Heather Caird, Portfolio Holder for Health at Chichester District Council, said: "When our inspectors first noticed hygiene problems with the premises, we tried to work with the management to resolve the matters, as we would with any business. Unfortunately, they did not take advantage of the support that was being offered by the District Council and prosecution was our only option to protect public health."

---