A trendy “sugar free” bakery in Upper Street has been slapped with a court bill of £4,000 for a host of offences – including using sugar.

Islington Council inspectors found mouse droppings and poor standards of cleaning when they visited Romeo’s Sugar Free Bakery in July last year.

Further investigations revealed the business was also making “incorrect nutritional claims” by sweetening its products with sugar from fruit and using banned sweetener stevia.

Last month at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, Islington Sugar Free Bakery Ltd and owner Romeo Dallh both admitted seven charges - four for food hygiene, one for failing to comply with a hygiene improvement notice and two for food standards offences.

The fines and cost for each was £4043.75 and the bakery has agreed to clean up its act.

Cllr Andy Hull said the council offered businesses help on food hygiene but would take action when necessary.

Businesses who want help and support over food hygiene or food standards issues should contact the commercial environmental health team on 0207 527 3816.