TWO men from Bridgwater have appeared in court today (Monday, May 16) accused of plotting to sell illegal meat to the general public.

Company director Anthony Fear, 60, of The Old Ice Cream Factory, Somerset Bridge, Bridgwater, who runs Fears Animal Products Ltd, and Mark Hooper, 61, whose address was also listed as The Old Ice Cream Factory, are both charged with conspiracy to defraud between June 12 and September 22, 2020.

It is alleged they dishonestly diverted poultry categorised as animal by-product, which was unfit for consumption, into the human food chain.

They are also charged that between the same two dates they contravened or failed to comply with EU food safety and hygiene requirements by placing onto the market poultry categorised as animal by-product that was unfit for human consumption.

Fears Animal Products Ltd, of The Old Ice Cream Factory, Somerset Bridge, Bridgwater, also faces the same two charges.

Appearing alongside Fear and Hooper at Croydon Magistrates' Court were Ali Afzal, 42, of East Street, Walworth and Azar Irshad, 36, of High Road, Ilford.

They face the same two charges along with Barking Halal Meat and Fish Ltd, of High Road, Ilford.

All four men were bailed to appear along with the two companies at Inner London Crown Court on June 13.