Operators of a fast-food business in Portsmouth has been fined after a mouse infestation was uncovered by council environmental health officers.

A number of hygiene offences found at Northend Kebab in London Road have been upheld in court.

A routine food hygiene inspection of the premises by one of Portsmouth City Council’s environmental health officers in August 2024 found mouse droppings throughout the kitchen and storerooms.

The business owner agreed to voluntarily close to address the widespread mouse infestation and imminent risk to public health. After a follow up visit, the business was served with ten Food Hygiene Improvement Notices relating to structural defects and the management of food safety on the premises.

In February 2025, the council found that the business had not complied with four of the hygiene notices.

At a hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on 30 September 2025, Mr Adil Mahmad, 10C London Road the director of Sypan Ltd, the registered food business operator, pleaded guilty to seven food hygiene offences relating to the mouse infestation and non-compliance with notices. He was issued a fine of £8,000, plus a £2,000 victim surcharge.

The limited company was also ordered to pay costs of £3,537.78.

Mr Mustafa Gulek of Tankerton Close, Portsmouth who manages the business, pleaded guilty to three hygiene offences in relation to the mouse infestation. He was fined £733, plus a victim surcharge of £293.

A Portsmouth City Council spokesperson said: “Poor food hygiene standards like those found at Northend Kebab can have really serious health consequences for customers, who rightly expect food they’re paying for to be prepared in a safe, clean environment.

“This successful court action is the result of proactive work by our environmental health team, who work alongside city businesses to ensure food being sold is safe.

“Thankfully the vast majority of food sellers in Portsmouth uphold good hygiene practices, and we always recommend people check a business’s food rating before they order.”

Portsmouth residents can report signs of poor hygiene standards to foodsafety@portsmouthcc.gov.uk