A Grimsby shop owner was found selling chicken breasts which were  a week out of date.  The owner of Gilbey Wines and Stores was in court for a second time having committed a similar offence two years ago. The owner was ordered to pay fines and costs of nearly £4,000 at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court. The owner of Gilbey Wines and Stores, in Gilbey Road, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £836 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after a prosecution by North East Lincolnshire Council’s trading standards team.The limited company which trades as Gilbey Wines and Stores was also held liable and fined £1,000 plus £836.68 costs and a surcharge – making a total of £3,703.Trading standards officials warned other food retailers that they will repeat the action if necessary.Trading standards manager Andy Foster said: “The high fine imposed reflects the seriousness of this offence and the fact that Mr Thillainathan was also prosecuted for the same offence back in 2006.” “A use-by date is applied to highly perishable foods in order to protect consumers from eating food that may be dangerous to health. Trading standards takes a dim view of any business that jeopardises the health of consumers. The Food Labelling Regulations 1996 outlined the offence of “selling or exposing for sale” products beyond their use by date, punishable by a fine of up to £5,000. Coun Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “This business was given every opportunity to work with the trading standards team but has failed to address the problem.  “Most food businesses co-operate with trading standards officers following inspections to ensure that acceptable standards are maintained for the public. “Prosecution is the last option for dealing with serious and persistent offenders and this case demonstrates that the council is prepared to take such action to safeguard public health”