A rat-infested sandwich shop in Armley is shut down, owner receives a lifetime ban from running a food business.
They found an active rat problem inside. Rat droppings were everywhere, even near food. An officer saw a rat running in the kitchen. The sink also lacked hot water for handwashing.
The owner, Dawn Smith, admitted guilt in court. She broke food safety rules fourteen times and even ignored an order to close immediately.
The judge gave her a suspended sentence: sixteen months, but she avoids jail for now. She can’t manage any food business anymore. The court also ordered her to do rehab, plus she needs to pay a victim surcharge.
A councillor expressed support for the closure, saying swift action protected public health. He thanked officers for their hard work on the case. He stated that food businesses must be clean because poor hygiene can harm people. The council will act against those who break these rules.
Reports show previous issues at Emma’s Sandwich Bar, which needed to clean up back in 2022. The cafe received a zero-star rating last year.