Barking and Dagenham Council has taken decisive action against a repeat noise nuisance offender and prosecuted at court.
On Sunday 1 October 2023, at 8.33pm, the council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers received a complaint about loud amplified music coming from a house on Woodbridge Road, Barking.
At 9.11pm, officers attended the complainant’s property and confirmed that the loud music was preventing the complainant from sleeping. Determining this to be a statutory nuisance, the officers visited the property on Woodbridge Road to address the issue.
On arrival, officers spoke with the tenant, Mr. Dennis Robert Carey, explaining the noise complaints. Despite several requests to lower the volume, Mr. Carey refused, insisting the noise level was acceptable. Consequently, officers served Mr. Carey with an Abatement Notice under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, requiring him to cease playing loud amplified music and prevent its recurrence.
Later that year, on 4 December 2023, at 9.58pm, the Noise Team received another complaint about loud music from Mr. Carey’s property. Officers confirmed a breach of the Abatement Notice and the disregard Mr. Carey showed to his neighbours.
Failing to comply with an abatement notice is a criminal offence and Mr. Carey was issued a £150 Fixed Penalty Notice, offering him a chance to avoid prosecution if paid. However, Mr. Carey failed to pay the penalty, which ultimately led to legal proceedings.
The case was presented at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 13 August 2024 where Mr. Carey pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the Abatement Notice. He was fined £400, with a Victim Surcharge of £160 and ordered to pay full Costs to Barking and Dagenham Councill of £750, totalling £1,310.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We take noise complaints very seriously and are dedicated to ensuring a quiet and peaceful environment for our residents.
“The action taken against Mr. Carey highlights our commitment to enforcing noise regulations and protecting the community’s well-being. We will continue to address such issues.”
Residents can report noise issues via the council’s website: www.lbbd.gov.uk/pests-pollution-noise-and-food/report-nuisance-noise