Noisy neighbour from Hove landed with bill to the tune of £5k

A noisy neighbour from Hove has been landed with a bill for more than £5,000.

James Plant, also known as Neil Plant, of Holmes Avenue, Hove, was found guilty of four charges of breaching noise abatement orders.

Plant was not present at the hearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court this morning (Monday 5 September) and was tried in his absence.

The court was told that he was served with a noise abatement order in October last year after playing loud music.

Brighton and Hove City Council, which brought the case, said that in May this year he was served with another noise abatement order.

The second order was served because of shouting, screaming and swearing coming from Plant’s garden.

Both orders were breached on Saturday 18 June and again on Sunday 17 July, magistrates were told.

The out of hours noise patrol visited Holmes Avenue in Hangleton on the first occasion at 2.15am after a complaint from a neighbour.

They heard singing and loud music, including Sex on Fire by the Kings of Leon, My Generation by The Who and We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool and Dcup.

On the next occasion, the noise patrol were called at 1am and could hear Hotel California by the Eagles as well as people singing along while someone played a keyboard.

Three women were jumping up and down on a large trampoline in the garden and were clapping, shouting and counting the jumps in Spanish.

The magistrates were told that the noise could be heard clearly from the other side of the street and would have prevented neighbours from sleeping, reading a book or watching television.

They fined Plant £1,000 for each breach and ordered him to pay costs of £1,240 and a victim surcharge of £15, making £5,255 in total.

After the case Councillor Dawn Barnett, who represents Hangleton and Knoll on the council, said: “I am hoping that this will be the end of it and that the neighbours will be able to live a peaceful life now and enjoy their gardens for what’s left of the summer.

“They haven’t been able to enjoy being outside because of the foul language.

“Some of these parties have started on a Saturday and gone right through to Sunday night.”

The council said that Plant’s behaviour had caused his neighbours considerable anxiety and stress.

Councillor Ben Duncan, the council’s cabinet member for communities, equalities and public protection, said: “Everyone is entitled to peace and quiet in their homes and this council will not hesitate to take action against persistent noisy neighbours.”