Neighbours 'driven mad' by loud music
SONGS by a wide range of performers, including UB40, Amy Winehouse and Madness were played so loudly ata Lowestoft home that neighbours made dozens of complaints to environmental health officers.
SONGS by a wide range of performers, including UB40, Amy Winehouse and Madness were played so loudly at
a Lowestoft home that neighbours made dozens of complaints to environmental health officers.
Wayne Brown was served with a noise abatement notice and later had stereo equipment seized, but complaints continued and left council officers with no option but to take him to court.
He appeared at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the council order.
Brown, 39, of May Road, was told much of the seized equipment would not be returned and was ordered to pay �350 costs.
District Judge David Cooper said: 'People get driven mad by this sort of thing and I must emphasise the importance of peace and quiet.'
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Judge Cooper also gave Brown a conditional discharge for one year, but warned him: 'If there are any more difficulties you will have to come back before my court.'
Vicky Nutley, prosecuting for Waveney District Council, said environment health officers had received 50 complaints from neigh-bours over several months.
A noise abatement order was issued in July, but complaints continued and, in September, officers obtained a warrant to enter Brown's home and seize stereo equipment, televisions, CDs and DVDs.
After further complaints, Brown, who lives at the house with his two teenage daughters, was charged with failing to comply with the order in December.
Miss Nutley said the music was so loud that neighbours could identify each individual song being played.
The judge refused to return stereo systems and speakers to Brown, but agreed that other items could be given back.
The council will launch its out-of-hours summer service on May 1 to allow residents to make complaints about noise nuisances. People will be able to call 01502 515435 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from May until the end of September for help.
