South Tyneside magistrates heard how Lindsey Smith continually played loud music at her home in Fieldway, Jarrow.

The court was told the 30-year-old was initially served with a Noise Abatement Notice by South Tyneside Council's environmental health team in early April after complaints from neighbours in Fieldway, Jarrow.

But just four days later, fed-up neighbours again contacted environmental health officers after she continued to play music late into the night.

And then 10 days later, council officers were called out again – this time with police – and hi-fi speakers were seized.

In early May, officers visited again after neighbours reported excessive noise from her television.

Smith, now living in Hebburn, was prosecuted under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

She did not attend court and the case was proved in her absence.

Magistrates fined her £525 and ordered her to pay £70 costs, as well as a £15 victim surcharge to a fund aimed at helping to improve services for victims of crime. The speakers were also forfeited.

Coun Michael Clare, lead member for environment, housing and transport, said: "The council takes complaints about noise very seriously.

"When warnings are ignored, even after a noise abatement order has been served, we will always take action.

"Through her excessive noise and anti-social behaviour, this woman continued to be a real nuisance to her neighbours. No one has to put up with this kind of behaviour."

The council's Environmental Health Service deals with almost 2,000 noise-related complaints a year from residents of South Tyneside.

These range from loud music and DIY, to barking dogs, alarms and even vibrations from machinery.

Further information about noise nuisance can be found at www.southtyneside.info/environment/noise.

To report a noise-related problem, call the council's Environmental Health Service on 424 7903, during office hours, or the Customer Contact Centre on 427 7000.