Noisy neighbour to pay £1,400 costs

Maria Caryer, 42, appeared at Worthing Magistrates’ Court last week, and admitted breaking the order, which was served by Arun District Council in October last year, twice the following month, despite having her hi-fi equipment, iPod docks and CDs seized.

Caryer, of Peel Road, was also handed a 12-month conditional discharge for the offences, which were committed while living at a different address.

Paul Wotherspoon, Arun’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “I want to congratulate the environmental health team for this successful prosecution and I hope it acts as a warning to others.

“Everybody has the right to be able to relax in their own home without being subjected to this type of disturbance and this sends out a clear message to anyone who disrespects their neighbours by behaving in this way that they will be punished.

“We are extremely grateful to all of our partners, including the police, who worked so hard to obtain this conviction.

“Hopefully, Mrs Caryer will now give more thought to those around her.”

The court also agreed that some of the items seized could be returned, if a storage charge was paid to the council.

An Arun spokesperson added: “We are delighted with the result, and pleased the court awarded full costs.”