A NEWPORT food store was in such an unhygienic state that it could have caused an outbreak of disease, a judge said.

Mohammed Anjum Raza, of Eton Road, who ran the Faisal Food Store, let blood from meat carcasses drip onto vegetables below, kept food almost a year past its sell-by date and had a large problem with flying insects at the Harrow Road premises, Cardiff Crown Court was told.

The 41-year-old earlier pleaded guilty to 16 charges of failing to comply with Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006.

He also admitted failing to comply with Food Labelling Regulations 2006.

Raza appeared in court to be sentenced for the offences, which judge Neil Bidder QC described as a "blatant and persistent" case of ignoring regulations, between 22 July 2010 and 8 March 2011.

Sentencing Raza, Mr Bidder QC said it was only the persistence of environmental health officers which prevented worse consequences.

"There could have been a serious outbreak of disease as a result of these breaches," he said.

Raza was fined a total of £4,600 for the offences and ordered to pay £1,145, totalling £5,745.

Prosecutor Steve Thomas told the court how an "extremely high" level of uncleanliness was found when the food store was visited by Newport council's environmental health officers on July 22 last year.

Raw meat was found stored on dirty shelves and the staff toilet opened out onto a food storage room.

Further visits officers found some improvements had been made, however by March 2011 a dairy chiller was still in disrepair and mouldy.

Defence counsel Harry Baker said the store used to be "well run" and "well respected", however after Raza's father became ill a lot of pressure was put on him as he took over as manager after four employees left.

Mr Baker added his client had made improvements and now there was full compliance with regulations.