Noisy Ipswich neighbour hit with £580 bill after failing to appear in court
The case was heard before magistrates in Ipswich. File picture: GREGG BROWN - Credit: Gregg Brown
The resident of an Ipswich flat was left with a bill of nearly £600 when she was found guilty of disturbing her neighbours by playing “I don’t want no scrubs” so loudly that her neighbours were disturbed.
Shannon Proctor was taken to court by the Borough Council after complaints about raised voices and music – particularly the song TLC hit – were made to the Council’s Environmental Health team.
The complaint in July this year was followed by another incident in August at her Charles Street flat, which was witnessed by council officers.
The council issued a Noise Abatement Notice the next day but 24 hours later Proctor breached this with more loud music.
Proctor was charged but failed to appear in court this week.
Magistrates found the case proved in her absence and Proctor was fined £220 and ordered to pay £330 costs, with an additional £30 victim surcharge.
The Chair of the Bench then said that if the problem continued Proctor would face a more severe fine.
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A spokesman for the Borough Council said after the case: “We will not tolerate noise nuisances and will investigate complaints made by neighbours.
“Residents have a right to a quality of life that is not ruined by loud music. This case has cost the defendant nearly £600 – that should act as a deterrent to others.”
A second case brought by the borough against another resident was adjourned by magistrates – that is expected to be heard at a later date.
The cases were brought as the borough tries to crack down further on anti-social residents who disturb their neighbours with loud noise, especially music, at unsocial times.
A team of environmental health officers is on duty out of hours to help residents who are suffering from noise problems – and they are able to go out to build a legal case if householders are being disturbed.
Details of how to contact the borough’s environmental health team can be found by using the council’s website at www.ipswich.gov.uk
