A PIZZA bought from a Union Street takeaway tasted funny because it was contaminated with mouse droppings, a court heard.

Prosecutor Julia Cox told Plymouth Crown Court that on March 20, a woman bought a pizza from Favourite Pizza as a treat for her son, who had just come out of hospital.

But as they ate it, they noticed "a strange chemical taste", which turned out to be caused by mouse droppings.

The premises were checked, but a follow-up visit showed further evidence of rodent infestation.

Yesterday, Indian-born owner Pervez Alvi pleaded guilty to five out of eight food hygiene charges after Judge Paul Darlow pledged not to send him straight to jail.

Miss Cox said the Crown Prosecution Service would not be offering evidence against co-owner Shirley Alvi, as it accepted that her husband was most responsible for running the business.

Pervez Alvi, 62, admitted selling a pizza unfit for human consumption because it was contaminated with mouse droppings.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to keep good hygiene, failing to protect food from contamination, failing to have adequate procedures in place to control pests and failing to keep the takeaway in good repair and condition.

He denied having no facilities for staff to clean and dry their hands, failing to register the establishment and not having proper "hazard analysis" and "control point" principles.

Shirley Alvi, 57, pleaded not guilty to all eight charges.

All the pleas were accepted by the prosecution.

Judge Darlow told the Alvi, of Brentor near Tavistock, that he was considering imposing a stiff fine and substantial costs on Mr Alvi, but wanted to see verifiable accounts first.

He told Pervez Alvi: "Mrs Alvi need not attend the next hearing.

"I will not send you to prison, but I will be looking very closely at your finances."

Judge Darlow said he would also look favourably on a prosecution request to impose a lifetime ban on selling food on Alvi when he is sentenced on October 21.