£500 levy on noisy neighbour

A COLDHURST resident disturbed her neighbour day and night with loud music, singing and shouting.

Oldham Council successfully prosecuted Claire Leanne Haney, of Siddall Street, for causing a nuisance to the neighbour.

Environmental Health officers were told in August 2010 that there was noise from the property at all hours of the day and night. Despite a warning letter to Haney the noise persisted, so monitoring equipment was installed in the complainant’s house.

Last February the council served a noise-abatement notice on Haney, but breaches — singing and shouting — were heard in late May. Haney appeared before Oldham magistrates to plead guilty to twice breaching the notice, was conditionally discharged for 18 months and ordered to pay costs of £500.

Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “We always try to work with people to resolve problems amicably, but when this does not work we will take action.”