The owner of an east Belfast restaurant has been fined a total of £2,800 for food safety offences.

Rui Jian Ke, owner of the Imperial Chinese on the Belmont Road, was also ordered to pay costs of £66 in relation to seven offences.

It followed a routine food safety inspection by an environmental health officer from Belfast City Council (BCC) on October 25, 2010.

A BCC spokesperson said: “Poor standards of cleanliness and food hygiene were found throughout the premises. A large build-up of grease, food and food residue was found on the floors, equipment and food containers.

“The officer also found possible sources of food contamination with raw meats stored above uncovered ready-to-eat foods, and food stored on the floor of the kitchen and walk-in chiller.

“The wash basin for cleaning hands was obstructed so couldn’t be used, and there were issues with correct temperature control of food and lack of refrigerated storage. Food safety management documents were not complete and the level of food hygiene training among staff was also inadequate,” added the spokesperson.

BCC confirmed to the court that conditions at the premises had subsequently improved to their satisfaction.