The owner of an East Yorkshire pub has appeared in court after a diner found dog excrement on the restaurant floor.

Out-of-date food was also sold to customers and prepared in a mouldy kitchen at The Steer Inn in Wilberfoss.

Darren Crossfield appeared before Beverley Magistrates’ Court, where he and the company, The Steer Inn (Pocklington) Ltd, of which he is the sole director, pleaded guilty to 17 food safety and hygiene offences.

The court heard how food safety officers from East Riding Council visited The Steer Inn in January last year, following a complaint from a diner who had found dog dirt on the floor.

A number of inspections were carried out by officers, who found in the kitchen food that was mouldy and unfit for human consumption.

Food that had exceeded its sell-by date was also being served, while raw meat was being prepared in direct contact with ready-to-eat salad items, posing a serious risk of cross- contamination.

Mr Crossfield, 52, of Elvington, told the court he had taken over the premises with no knowledge of running a kitchen or a restaurant.

He said he had worked in pubs and bars before with no problems but admitted that he had been naive.

Mr Crossfield said he had been led to believe his chef had the necessary food hygiene qualifications.