Jarrow woman hit with £1,000 court bill after playing loud music in early hours

A woman who council chiefs say made life a misery for her neighbours by playing loud music in the early hours of the morning has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 by magistrates.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Katie Brannen, 28, of Eden Walk in Jarrow, was fined £660 plus £487.58 costs and ordered to pay a £66 victim surcharge when her case was brought before South Tyneside Magistrates’ court.

South Tyneside Council said Miss Brannen had been given a number of warnings from the authority’s environmental health service about playing music at excessive volumes, particularly late at night and into the early hours of the morning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The council said despite being warned about her behaviour, she continued to play amplified music which resulted in environmental officers serving a noise abatement notice in October 2020.

The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

The authority said 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 said it was granted a forfeiture order by the magistrates, awarding it permanent possession of Miss Brannen’s ‘noise making equipment’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Stuart Wright, Head of Environment at the council, 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 antisocial behaviour to the council, email [email protected],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.

Support your Gazette and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.