Loud music prosecution shows commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour

Loud music prosecution shows commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour

Loud music prosecution shows commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour
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The prosecution of a woman who ignored an order to stop playing loud music shows Pembrokeshire County Council’s determination to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, a Cabinet Member has said.
Cllr Michelle Bateman, the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and Regulatory Services, welcomed the successful prosecution of Gemma Hughes of Howarth Close, Milford Haven.
Hughes had been served a noise abatement notice by the Council for repeatedly playing music loudly, often late at night, disturbing other residents in the block of flats.
Due before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Wednesday August 30th for trial, charged with two counts of contravening and failing to comply with an abatement notice, Hughes did not appear.
Magistrates agreed to proceed in her absence and heard evidence from Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police officers.
Magistrates were told that numerous complaints were made about the volume of music at Hughes’ property, including after the noise abatement notice had been issued.
Magistrates found Hughes, aged 27, guilty of the charges under s.80(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Hughes was fined £660 for each offence and ordered to pay a surcharge of £132.
Costs of £2,527.75 were awarded to Pembrokeshire County Council.
Cllr Bateman said: “This successful prosecution and the level of fines and costs awarded show that we and the courts take the matter of noise very seriously.
“Playing music loudly and late at night can have a major impact on the quality of neighbours’ lives. The Council has engaged with the defendant and issued a noise abatement notice.
“It should be a warning to others that ignoring a notice and continuing to cause a noise nuisance will result in prosecution.
“I would like to highlight and commend the effective partnership working that achieved this result.
“We are working closely with Dyfed-Powys Police and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams to allow for the exchange of information and evidence around nuisance issues, like noise, and also community tensions.
“This partnership working is allowing us to tackle community concerns and improve people’s lives.”

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