Council Takes Action Against Nuisance Resident

A South Tyneside woman who made life a misery for her neighbours by playing loud music in the early hours of the morning has been fined by magistrates.

Katie Brannen, 28, of Eden Walk in Jarrow, was fined £660 plus £487.58 costs and ordered to pay a £66 Victim Surcharge.

South Tyneside magistrates were told that Miss Brannen had been given several warnings from the Council's Environmental Health service about playing her music at excessive volumes, particularly late at night and into the early hours of the morning.

Despite being warned about her behaviour, the defendant continued to play amplified music which resulted in the Council serving a noise abatement notice last October. Miss Brannen breached the notice and council officers applied for a warrant to enter the property and seize the noise-making equipment.

Miss Brannen was found guilty in her absence of breaching the abatement notice served on her which is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The Council was granted a forfeiture order by the magistrates, awarding it permanent possession of Miss Brannen's noise making equipment.

Head of Environment, Stuart Wright, said: "The behaviour of this resident made life insufferable for her neighbours.

"While prosecution is usually a last resort, we will take action when necessary to protect the rights of the local community who are entitled to live without unreasonable disturbance from those around them."

To report anti-social behaviour, email asb@southtynesidehomes.org,uk or text ASB and a message to 07786 200802. Alternatively people can contact South Tyneside Homes on 0300 123 6633 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6.30pm) or at the Customer Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000.