Wiltshire Council has successfully prosecuted a former pub operator whose persistent and serious food hygiene failures have resulted in a court ordered ban preventing him from managing any food business.

On Tuesday 17 March, Mr Peter Martin, formerly responsible for The Hook and Glove pub in Farley, appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to 12 food hygiene offences. These included 10 counts of placing unsafe food on the market, a serious offence that poses clear risks to public health.

The court issued a Prohibition Order, which bans Mr Martin from managing a food business, anywhere in the country. This prohibition represents the most serious sanction available for repeated and dangerous food hygiene breaches.

Mr Martin was also fined £807, ordered to pay a £348 surcharge, and £1,150 in costs, bringing the total to £2,368.

The prosecution followed a series of inspections by Wiltshire Council’s Food and Safety team throughout 2024 and 2025, during which officers repeatedly found very poor hygiene practices and significant breaches of food safety law. Issues identified included:

• Out-of-date, mouldy, and unsafe food

• Food stored at unsafe temperatures

• Dirty kitchen areas, food preparation surfaces, and equipment

• Poor personal hygiene by the operator

• Evidence of a rat infestation in the kitchen while food was being prepared, resulting in an immediate temporary closure

Mr Martin failed to comply with a legally served Hygiene Improvement Notice issued in 2025, resulting in the escalation to prosecution.

The premises are now under new management and operated by new food business owners, with no connection to Mr Martin.

Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “The court’s decision to impose a Prohibition Order is a clear and decisive outcome. It means Mr Martin is now legally barred from managing any food business – an essential step to protect the public.

“This case demonstrates that when food operators repeatedly disregard basic hygiene standards and put customers at risk, we will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action. I want to thank our Food and Safety officers for their persistence and professionalism in ensuring this outcome.”

Wiltshire Council carries out thousands of routine and unannounced food safety inspections each year to safeguard residents and visitors. Its Public Protection Service promotes safe food practices through business advice, the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), and where necessary, firm enforcement action. Officers are empowered under the Food Safety Act 1990, the Food Hygiene Regulations, and associated EU-derived legislation to inspect premises, seize unsafe food, and take legal action where public health is at risk.

The council also works closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and monitors national food safety alerts, ensuring that unsafe or contaminated products do not reach consumers.

Anyone with suspicions about food crime can report their concerns in confidence to the Food Standards Agency at www.food.gov.uk or by calling 0800 028 1180.