Noisy Brighton neighbours fined for drum 'n' bass and bongos

Bongos and drum and bass music have joined the Banana Splits on the list of ways Brighton residents have infuriated their neighbours this week.

Yesterday, Sharon Nesbitt of Halland Road, Brighton, landed more than £2,000 in court fines for playing the bongos too loudly, as well as noisy 70s disco music, shouting and swearing.

And loud drum and bass music and a noisy TV cost Brighton couple Jamie Johnson and Janis Boucher, of The Highway, Moulsecoomb, £1,930 in fines.

Both were also ordered to hand over all noisemaking equipment after they were also found guilty of breaching a noise abatement notice by Brighton Magistrates Court.

Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “We are pleased that our environmental health officers have been able to work with the victims to gather the evidence and to bring the matter before the courts and that the magistrates have shown their support.

“This sends out a clear message that this council is committed to promoting community safety. We will not tolerate noise nuisance of any kind and will not hesitate to track down and prosecute those responsible.”

Both Nesbitt and Johnson and Boucher failed to turn up in court and were found guilty in their absence.

Nesbitt was fined a total of £1,100 for breaching the order, and ordered to pay £997 costs and £15 victim surcharge. Johnson and Boucher were each fined £350 with £600 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

On Monday, Amanda Millard of Pope’s Court, Freehold Terrace, was fined £250 for playing loud music, including the Banana Splits TV theme tune, House of the Rising Sun and Buffalo Soldier.