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Meat con gang boss tracked by BBC Meat con gang boss tracked by BBC
(about 5 hours later)
A businessman who sold unfit meat to hospitals, schools and supermarkets has been jailed for six years after spending four years on the run.A businessman who sold unfit meat to hospitals, schools and supermarkets has been jailed for six years after spending four years on the run.
Peter Roberts, 72, known as "Maggot Pete", was convicted in 2003 of fraud but fled the country after the start of the 12-week trial.Peter Roberts, 72, known as "Maggot Pete", was convicted in 2003 of fraud but fled the country after the start of the 12-week trial.
A BBC Inside Out investigation tracked him to Northern Cyprus and presented evidence to local authorities.A BBC Inside Out investigation tracked him to Northern Cyprus and presented evidence to local authorities.
Roberts was deported and appeared at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday.Roberts was deported and appeared at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday.
He will now serve his six-year prison sentence that was imposed in 2003 for his role in leading the gang which made at least £1m selling diseased chicken carcasses. He will now serve the six-year prison sentence that was imposed in 2003 for his role in leading a gang which made at least £1m selling diseased chicken carcasses.
The scam involved selling the contaminated meat from a plant in Denby, Derbyshire, to meat wholesalers.The scam involved selling the contaminated meat from a plant in Denby, Derbyshire, to meat wholesalers.
The meat was classed unfit for human consumption The chickens were not fit for human consumption
It ended up in major supermarkets across the country and was even sold to hospitals and schools, the court heard. It ended up in major supermarkets across the UK and was even sold to hospitals and schools, the court heard.
Roberts was convicted at Nottingham Crown Court in September 2003 of conspiracy to defraud and failing to surrender to custody.Roberts was convicted at Nottingham Crown Court in September 2003 of conspiracy to defraud and failing to surrender to custody.
The investigation into Denby Poultry Products began in December 2000.The investigation into Denby Poultry Products began in December 2000.
The multi-agency operation involved more than 100 police officers as well as around 50 local authority environmental health officers and Meat Hygiene Service staff.The multi-agency operation involved more than 100 police officers as well as around 50 local authority environmental health officers and Meat Hygiene Service staff.
Denby Poultry Products was a pet food processing plant registered to receive waste from poultry slaughterhouses for use in pet food.Denby Poultry Products was a pet food processing plant registered to receive waste from poultry slaughterhouses for use in pet food.
But the business became involved in a chain of supply that stretched to businesses in Northampton, Milton Keynes and Bury.But the business became involved in a chain of supply that stretched to businesses in Northampton, Milton Keynes and Bury.
Anonymous tip-off
The gang was based at premises described as rat-infested and sewage-ridden, where they butchered one million unfit chickens and turkeys before selling the meat.The gang was based at premises described as rat-infested and sewage-ridden, where they butchered one million unfit chickens and turkeys before selling the meat.
Police raided the company's premises in March 2001 after an investigation lasting more than 30 months triggered by an anonymous tip-off.Police raided the company's premises in March 2001 after an investigation lasting more than 30 months triggered by an anonymous tip-off.
A Food Standards Agency spokesman said: "Since that investigation much has been done to ensure that as far as possible such criminal activities are prevented.
"Last year the agency set up an independent Food Fraud Task Force, charged with reviewing current controls with a particular focus on meat.
"The expert group have supported the initiatives already undertaken and makes its final report next month."
The full BBC Inside Out East Midlands investigation into Maggot Pete will be aired on 19 September.The full BBC Inside Out East Midlands investigation into Maggot Pete will be aired on 19 September.