The Navigation owner Daryosh Rossookh banned from food business after dead mouse and filthy conditions found

A rotting dead mouse was found on the shelf of a filthy pub, along with mouldy and out-of-date food in fridges. The owner, who had been repeatedly warned about food hygiene hazards, has now been banned from running a food business ever again.

Daryosh Rossookh, who ran The Navigation in Greensforge, showed a ‘blatant disregard’ for the safety of his staff and customers, a court heard. Food safety officers from South Staffordshire Council made numerous visits to the pub, near Kingswinford, between 2016 and 2022, where they reported the incorrect usage of coloured cutting boards, presenting a cross-contamination risk.

Rodent droppings were discovered in the bar and a putrefied mouse was found on a shelf behind the beer pulls. There were also dangers in the cellar, where steps were obstructed with stock and carbon dioxide cylinders unrestrained. The walls, ceiling and fans were also blackened with a build-up of mould.

No personal protective equipment was provided to staff when using a corrosive substance to clean the beer line – with only one pair of mould-speckled eye goggles being found in the cellar. A build-up of grease in ventilation systems also presented a potential fire hazard.

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Council officers served three hygiene improvement notices during the course of six years and provided Rossookh, 64, with advice, guidance and support. But Cannock Magistrates’ Court was told any improvements made following these inspections were short lived.

Following a final inspection in May this year, the council’s officers made an application for a Prohibition Order – with a view to preventing Rossookh from running a food business in the future. During a hearing on Tuesday, June 6, Rossookh, of Hunter’s Ride in Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to nine offences contrary to food hygiene regulations and five offences contrary to health and safety legislation.

The court heard there had been some recent improvements but they were “far too little too late” and there had been a “disregard for the advice from the officers, the safety of his staff and customers”. Magistrates upheld the Prohibition Order application, as well as ordering Rossookh to pay fines and costs totalling £7,899.

Following the hearing, Councillor Rita Heseltine, South Staffordshire’s cabinet member for regulatory services, said: “Officers have worked with Mr Rossookh for a number of years, educating and advising on food hygiene matters – but despite this, there was no real or sustained improvement, reflecting his blatant disregard for food-related health risks.

“Where public health is at risk, we will always take appropriate legal action. It was a difficult decision to apply for an order prohibiting Mr Rossookh from running a food business in the future.

“Our officers do all they can to support local businesses, but the safety of our residents is paramount. We will not allow our residents to be put at risk and therefore are very pleased with the outcome decided by the court and the strong message this sends.”

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