HERE are the gruesome pictures of what council inspectors found inside two Chester stores.

Previously, we reported the owner of Chester Booze and Chester Convenience Store – both on the main street Boughton – is to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to 16 offences on behalf of himself and the two stores.

Chester Convenience Store and Chester Booze in Boughton. Pictures: Google.

Chester Convenience Store and Chester Booze in Boughton. Pictures: Google.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday, January 31 that Chester Booze was selling illegal 'Elux 5000' electronic cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, as they contained five times the recommended amount of nicotine-containing liquid.

Counterfeit cigarettes were also found – 15 packs of fake L&B cigarettes and 10 packs of fake B&H Gold cigarettes.

What inspectors found inside Chester Booze. Pictures: Cheshire West and Chester Council.

What inspectors found inside Chester Booze. Pictures: Cheshire West and Chester Council.

But at both Chester Booze and Chester Convenience Store, conditions inside the premises were filthy and rat-infested.

And here are photos which were taken to support Cheshire West and Chester Council's prosecution case. Inspectors had visited Chester Booze on November 30, 2022 and Chester Convenience Store on March 16, 2023.

What inspectors found inside Chester Booze. Pictures: Cheshire West and Chester Council.

What inspectors found inside Chester Booze. Pictures: Cheshire West and Chester Council.

They show rat droppings at both premises, untidily stored retail items and filthy conditions in the staff and storerooms. Food wrappers and storage items have also been gnawed at.

Victor Vimakshan, 29, of Walting Court, Great Boughton, is to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on February 28.

What inspectors found inside Chester Booze. Pictures: Cheshire West and Chester Council.

What inspectors found inside Chester Booze. Pictures: Cheshire West and Chester Council.