Noisy neighbour hit with £280 fine
A man who played hip hop and RnB music so loud in his flat that it forced his neighbour to move out has been hit with a bill for almost £300.
Daniel Edwards caused months of misery and nuisance at his home in Lower North Street, Walsall, by allowing songs to belt out throughout the day and night.
The 27-year-old was served with a noise abatement notice last April following a number of complaints from Kelly Jane Ede who also lived in the block.
But the music fan kept the volume high, blasting out tunes from his stereo until after 11pm some days, forcing her to move from the Caldmore Area Housing Association property.
Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching the notice served by the council at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday, where he was ordered to pay £280.
Mrs Kerry Munro, prosecuting, said complaints started in March and Walsall Council, who has worked alongside the housing association, then issued the abatement notice.
They continued to monitor the level of noise throughout the summer after receiving more calls from Miss Ede. On August 17 last year an officer visited her property where hip hop music could be heard.
Similar problems were encountered when a representative visited again on September 2 and on November 22 when music could be heard as she tried to watch the X-Factor. Mrs Munro said: "Loud music was being played mainly late at night. The problem had been on-going and got so bad she sought housing elsewhere."
Edwards, representing himself, said no more complaints had been received from other residents in the three-storey block. He added he had replaced his stereo with a hi-fi and made attempts to play his music quieter.
Magistrates agreed to fine Edwards £200 for the first offence and issue no extra financial penalty for the other charges. He was also told to pay £80 costs.
Last month the landlady of a Darlaston pub was fined after loud music and punters singing karaoke infuriated neighbours.
Jackie Jones, 38, admitted three counts of breaching a noise abatement notice at The Crown in King Edward Street. Residents complained about noise in December 2007 and a noise abatement notice was served in April last year.
