A woman in Brighton who subjected neighbours to all-night party noise, as well as shouting, swearing and slamming of doors, has been successfully prosecuted by Brighton & Hove City Council.
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Debra Dawson of 94 Stanmer Park Road was fined £400, with £1,000 costs by Brighton Magistrates on Thursday, 18 October.
Noise from the mid-terrace house turned the quiet residential street into a cacophony of music at all hours of the night, including rap and the tune of ‘You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling.’
Neighbours, including young children, were unable to sleep as party goers spilled out into the back garden and onto the street at the front of the house. Music could still be heard in the early hours and in one case neighbours could still hear it at 6.30am.
Noise patrol officers from Brighton & Hove City Council began investigating what were described as regular once a month parties a year ago in August 2011 after complaints from neighbours and a warning letter failed to stop the noise nuisance. A further letter did lead to the noise improving temporarily, but the council received more complaints this February and May.
A noise abatement notice was issued in May but the noise started up again in the summer leading to more complaints from neighbours. Officers witnessed a breach of the noise abatement notice in September and took the matter to court.
Councillor Ben Duncan, lead member for community safety, said: “The best way to deal with noise disturbance like this is dialogue, but when that fails the council is there to support people and take action. It’s one thing to have the occasional party, but these were going on regularly and produced so much noise that neighbours could not get to sleep. They continued even though neighbours repeatedly tried to reason with Ms Dawson to be considerate and turn the music down.”
Ms Dawson was prosecuted in her absence. Magistrates ordered her to pay a fine of £400 with £1000 costs and £15 victim surcharge. The noise abatement notice remains in force and any further noise outbreaks could result in confiscation of noise making equipment and further court proceedings.
