Magistrates fine noisy Portslade neighbour

A noisy neighbour from Portslade has been ordered to pay £515 and has had his music system confiscated.

Jake Fennell, of Trafalgar Road, Portslade, admitted two charges of breaching a noise abatement notice at Brighton Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday 16 February).

The court was told that Fennell made life miserable for the parents of a young baby next door.

His parties and loud music caused them distress and sleepless nights.

Despite visits by Brighton and Hove City Council’s noise patrol and being issued with a noise abatement notice, Fennell kept disturbing his neighbours by playing loud music, shouting, swearing and slamming doors.

As a result officers gained a warrant to seize music systems, speakers, CDs and DVDs from his basement flat but still the problems continued.

Len Batten, the council’s solicitor, said that neighbours kept a noise diary recording how Fennell’s regular parties disrupted their lives, woke their baby and caused sleepless nights and stress.

The disturbances, which included playing darts against the party wall and music so loud that it caused the radiators to rattle, prevented the couple from sleeping and even watching their television.

Officers from the council’s noise patrol heard excessive noise from loud music, screaming and shouting from inside the flat and from the garden.

On one occasion they heard voices singing along to the Rhianna song “I love the way you lie”.

The bass beat was so loud that it woke the baby.

Councillor Ben Duncan, the council’s cabinet member for communities, equalities and public protection, said: “These residents have clearly been subjected to unacceptable levels of noise which has had a serious effect on their quality of life and wellbeing.

“We are pleased that our officers have been able to work with the victims to gather the evidence and to bring the matter before the courts.

“Everyone is entitled to peace and quiet in their homes and this council will not hesitate to take action against persistent noisy neighbours.”

Magistrates ordered that Fennell’s sound system and music recordings should not be returned.

The noise abatement order is still in place.