A Swindon-based barbecue grill event organiser has been fined after running a food business from his garden without proper registration or safety measures.
Ionut Adrian Apetroaie, 44, of Haydon Wick, admitted to seven charges in Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 18th November. These included failing to register his business, operating without a food safety management system, neglecting allergen information, and failing to prevent contamination.
Operating under the name “Romeat,” Apetroaie butchered wild boar, deer, and other game in his garden, hanging carcasses on a pull-up bar. His equipment was stored in unhygienic conditions, including a garage cluttered with DIY tools.
Council and police officers seized between 200 and 300kg of meat during a raid. They found evidence of high-risk activities such as vacuum packing and smoking being carried out without proper controls. Food labelling was either missing or non-compliant, and waste was disposed of in domestic bins instead of adhering to animal by-product regulations.
The court heard that Apetroaie sourced food from Smithfield and Billingsgate markets in London, taking orders via social media and WhatsApp. He also offered catering services and organised themed events.
A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice had already been served on Apetroaie last year, halting his operations. However, he told the court he believed his training and insurance sufficed, mistakenly seeking advice from a parish council instead of registering with the appropriate authority.
District Judge Joanna Dickens imposed a fine of £1,300, with an additional £3,000 in costs and a £520 victim surcharge.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, condemned the breaches, saying: “This individual put people’s health at risk by selling food without any traceability or appropriate allergen information. This case underscores the importance of businesses following food hygiene regulations to protect the public.
“We will take firm action against those who do not comply.”
