A trader in Swanscombe has been caught selling food almost three weeks past its sell-by date.

Kent Trading Standards officers found sausages, ham and bacon between four and eight days past their use-by, and one item as much as 20 days over, on two separate occasions when they visited the Costcutter store in Craylands Lane, Swanscombe.

Shopkeeper Raj Brijmohan, who had already been warned about selling out of date food, was found guilty and fined a total of £2,650. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Kent County Council area manager for Kent Trading Standards, Richard Strawson, said: “Mr Brijmohan had been advised of the importance of not selling items past their use-by dates but he persisted in selling food which could have caused harm for his customers.

“We hope this conviction sends out the message to the public and retailers that these offences are taken seriously.”

Mr Brijmohan admitted the food should have been removed from the store’s shelves.

He added: “We do check every day but sometimes things are left over. These things do happen.”