The former director of a restaurant has been fined thousands after a cockroach infestation.

Nikhil Walia, 38, of Kingsend Court, Ruislip, has been ordered to pay £9,000 when he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 12.

He admitted four breaches of food hygiene regulations and two breaches of the conditions of his licence.

Watford Observer: Kho Kho in High Street, Ruislip. Kho Kho in High Street, Ruislip. (Image: Google Street View)It is linked to his time when he was the director of Masala Gallery Limited, trading as Kho Kho in High Street, Ruislip.

The restaurant, which now has new management, was given a 'very good' 5/5 food hygiene rating after being inspected in April.

The court was told how Hillingdon Council's food and health and safety team made an unannounced visit on July 5, 2022, following a complaint that a customer had found a cockroach in their meal.

The council's team discovered poor levels of cleanliness throughout, with ready to eat food stored uncovered in areas where there was evidence of live cockroaches. There were also maintenance issues, including an open drain with stagnant standing water.

Watford Observer: The cockroaches were also found near uncovered food.The cockroaches were also found near uncovered food. (Image: Hillingdon Council)The council's officers considered the conditions to be an imminent risk of injury to health, the court heard.

The court was told Kho Kho had a history of pest infestations with pest control records showing evidence of cockroaches being treated previously in both September 2021 and February 2022.

In July 2022, a judge granted a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order prohibiting Kho Kho from operating as a restaurant, but this order was lifted by Hillingdon Council on July 11, 2022, following evidence that the health risk had been removed.

Mr Walia, who is no longer a director for the company but helps with the restaurant’s catering, said: “We are sorry for the failings, and we have faced the consequences.

“We have worked hard over the past year and a half as a team to uphold the hygiene standards.”

Watford Observer: Kho Kho now has a food hygiene rating of 5/5 under new management. Kho Kho now has a food hygiene rating of 5/5 under new management. (Image: Screenshot)

Jai Singh, the restaurant’s new manager, said: “This has put our current reputation under serious threat. We believe it is unjust to associate our new management with past incidents, especially when the council is aware of the change in ownership.

"As of February this year, we have taken over the management, and we are committed to upholding the highest hygiene standards to ensure the well-being of all our guests.

“We are dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable dining experience for our patrons.”