A "vile" grocery shop has been shut down after kids' sweets were on sale "smothered" in RAT poo.

TSK Cash and Carry, in Rayners Lane, was busted during a surprise inspection and immediately closed after hygiene officers found conditions so filthy, vermin could nest inside the shop.

Frantic workers tried to clear up as inspectors took photos revealing the horror of the shop - showing half-eaten chocolate bars smeared in excrement and urine and floors covered in droppings.

TSK Cash and Carry was shut down after a surprise inspection

The owner, Sooriyakumar Tharmalingam, 50, of Alexandra Avenue, Rayners Lane, was ordered to pay £4,550 at Harrow Crown Court on May 4, after pleading guilty to six offences.

The prosecution comes after a filthy Harrow chicken shop was exposed and finally closed after ingredients were found covered in mouse droppings.

Simon Baxter, divisional director for environment and culture at Harrow Council, said: “The thought of taking a bite out of your favourite chocolate bar that’s smothered in rat excrement makes me feel sick."

Rats helped themselves to sweets and chocolates - that were still being sold to customers

Harrow Council say "sweet toothed" rodents were able to help themselves to food by getting through gaps in the ceiling, doors and floors.

The lack of waste management also contributed to the infestation.

TSK Cash and Carry operated as an off license, grocery store, and also sold entertainment goods.

Floors were completely covered in rat droppings

Mr Baxter said: “It makes me so angry that criminals can make money by endangering public health like this. We busted Tharmalingam and now his business is finished.

“We’ll do the same to anyone else we find playing games with people’s safety.”

Tharmalingam's offences included failing to keep a food premises clean and a poor layout of the premise which allowed rodents to get in through gaps in the ceiling, doors and floors, and allowed places for pests to nest.

Yuck! TSK Cash and Carry staff tried to frantically clean but inspectors found conditions like this

He was also fined for poor storage and waste collection, not storing food properly and protecting it from contamination, and failing to put procedures in place for pest control.

His final breach was that unsafe food was still on shelves, as inspectors found chocolate bars and rice contaminated with vermin droppings and urine.

Tharmalingam was fined £500 per offence, totalling £3,000, £1,500 legal fees and a £50 victim surcharge.

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