A Bracknell woman who cranked up a home-stereo so loud it could be heard in her neighbours’ homes has been prosecuted by Bracknell Forest Council.
Kim Rose, 29, from Banbury in Crown Wood was fined £515 by the bench at Maidenhead Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 22, after pleading guilty to three charges of failing to comply with a noise abatement notice.
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Miss Rose was told by the council’s environmental health officers to curb the excessively loud music and other noise coming from her house and was served with a noise abatement notice by the team.
The court heard that Miss Rose was first known to have breached the abatement notice just eight days after it was first served.
Miss Rose admitted three charges of failing to comply with the requirement imposed by an abatement notice under the environmental protection act – namely playing amplified music to a level that it is audible in nearby homes. The charges relate to the same song Someone Like You by pop-star Adele, being played loudly and repeatedly on the evening of March 12, 2011 and mid morning and early afternoon on March 13, 2011 and March 19, 2011.
The council’s solicitor Donald Adams prosecuted Miss Rose on behalf of the environmental health team.
Miss Rose was fined £100 for each charge plus a victim surcharge of £15 and prosecution costs of £200 – making a total of £515.
David Steeds, head of environmental health, said: “Excessive noise can have a huge impact on people’s lives, stopping them from enjoying their own home, garden or even stopping them from sleeping. Noise nuisance is one of the top six anti-social behaviours reported to Bracknell Forest Council and so we will take appropriate action, like in this case, to stop people from ruining the lives of their neighbours.”
Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: “I’m pleased the court agreed a financial penalty was suitable for these offences and hope it sends a warning to other people who are discourteous to their neighbours where loud music is concerned. Anyone causing their neighbours misery through excessive noise could face a fine of up to £5,000 for each conviction.
“We don’t take legal action lightly and prefer to serve noise abatement orders in the first instance but when these orders are flouted then we will prosecute in order to ensure all our residents can enjoy their homes and gardens.”
