RESIDENTS say peace has been restored at their block of flats after a noisy neighbour was prosecuted for making their lives a misery.
Jordan Furnell, of Comber Place, in Grimsby, has been ordered to pay more than £600 and had 13 pieces of TV and sound equipment seized after repeatedly playing music at ear-splitting levels.
The move comes as North East Lincolnshire Council revealed it has served 47 "noise abatement notices" between April 1 last year and this week, all but two of which have been complied with. Both offenders for non-compliance have been prosecuted.
Furnell's flat was raided in November last year and 13 pieces of TV and sound equipment were seized.
He has since been fined more than £600 and his equipment has been confiscated. He has since left the property.
Neighbours have now spoken of their relief following the prosecution by council enforcement officers. Alan Betts, 62, who lives on the same level as Furnell's old flat, said he was "delighted" that action has been taken.
"It wasn't particularly heavy but it was all boom, boom, boom, from the minute he got in at about 4pm until the early hours of the morning," he said.
"I was working at a pub in the evenings but my mum would be at home and would have to put up with the constant noise.
"It would go on for what seemed like an age each time. We used to complain to him and he would say he would turn it down but it was always just as loud.
"It's his dad I feel sorry for because, as far as I know, everything confiscated was in his name. I'm sorry he has had to move, but there are new occupants now and there's no hassle at all, it's so much better."
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "The music would go on for so long. One Friday night it went on from 5pm to 3.30am the following morning. I always hoped the council would do something about it."
Council enforcement officers insisted the case represented a "tough stance" against those causing noise nuisance in the borough.
As reported, enforcement officers from North East Lincolnshire Council, Shoreline and two Humberside Police officers swooped on the flat in Comber Place shortly after 8am on November 22.
Furnell's case was heard at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on May 2, where he was found guilty of twice breaching a noise abatement notice that was served in November last year.
Although he was not present in court, officers from the council's community pride team were able to prove Furnell had shown disregard for the law and had been causing a negative impact to residents with the loud noise that was persistently played from his home.
He was convicted in his absence and was fined £400, £200 for each breach of the noise abatement notice, and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £40 victims' surcharge, within 28 days.
The court order for noise offences is the second that the council has obtained in as many months.
John Waite, enforcement manager at NELC, said: "We are taking a tough stance against any resident who persists in causing a noise nuisance against our warnings.
"Loud music, or any unacceptable noise for that matter, from inconsiderate neighbours will not be tolerated and we will do everything in our power to put a stop to it."
The council said following the raid that noise levels were "completely unacceptable and made life miserable" for neighbours, and said action was taken following repeated complaints, including one at 6.53am on the morning of the raid.
After the swoop, NELC said: "The council will not tolerate this type of antisocial behaviour.
"Noise levels were completely unacceptable and made life miserable for other people living in the area.
"Community Pride officers will always take steps to educate and inform before enforcement is carried out, but when warnings are ignored the council has no alternative but to take legal action.
"In this case there were a number of breaches after repeated warnings, so officers obtained a warrant from Grimsby Magistrates' Court to enter the premises and remove all noise-making equipment."
Residents are urged to attempt to talk to noisy neighbours before calling Community Pride on 01472 325823 as the next resort.
Any information given will be treated confidentially.
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