Horsemeat ID chips found in ‘beef ’

A plot to pass off horsemeat as beef unravelled when horse identification chips were found in the meat in a surprise inspection, a court heard.

It is alleged that Andronicos Sideras, 55, one of the owners of meat company Dinos & Sons, had mixed up the meats before they were passed to other firms.

Three horse ID chips were found in meat after an inspection was triggered when the wrong size of shipment was sent to a company called Rangeland, Inner London Crown Court was told.

Mr Sideras, of Southgate, north London, denies one count of conspiracy to defraud between Jan 1 and Nov 30 2012. The hearing was adjourned until 2pm today.