A former restaurateur has been hit with a �10,000 bill for running a rodent infested-curry house.

Three rotting mice and a large cockroach were discovered at Muhib Indian Cuisine in Brick Lane, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Visiting on April 14 last year, environmental health officers from Tower Hamlets council found droppings in boxes of salad and takeaway containers, as well as three mice trapped on a sticky trap at various stages of decomposition.

They reacted by shutting down the premises using a hygiene emergency prohibition notice.

Owner Batir Miah, 40, was held responsible for the restaurant’s infestation.

Prosecutor Archie Maddan told the court: “The officers described it as a serious mice infestation indicated by the large volume of droppings and the spread throughout the property.”

Miah had received notices in November 2010 and March 2011 warning him to improve his standards.

Miah, of Mighell Avenue, Ilford, Essex, admitted seven breaches of European Commission and food hygiene regulations.

Defending, Brian Richardson said that Miah had worked hard to solve the problems, and had not received complaints from the public.

He said: “After these matters were brought to his attention he spent something like �10,000 trying to rectify the problem but he was not able to get the business up and running again.”

Judge Martyn Zeidman handed Miah a �7,000 fine and ordered him to pay �3,000 costs.

Miah has also been banned from managing any food outlet, but can continue in his current job as a waiter.

Sentencing, Judge Zeidman said: “This is a bad case. There were very serious defects in the system or lack of system in this restaurant.

“I must protect the public against any further misconduct and in the circumstances it is proper to impose a prohibition on you managing any food business.”