Nightmare neighbour fined over loud music and singing

A noisy neighbour has been fined for making a racket in a quiet Devon town. Jane Reynolds played excessively loud music, podcasts, amplified singing and bible readings, a court heard.

She also protested against the government and even swore loudly. Reynolds ignored a council notice to stop making a nuisance of herself in Holsworthy. The local council reviewed 300 audio recordings of the clamour.

Reynolds, of Woodland View, denied failing to comply with a noise abatement notice but was found guilty and fined £440 by magistrates in Exeter.

Staci Dorey, head of legal and governance and monitoring officer, Torridge District Council, said: "The council was initially contacted in April 2023 by a neighbour reporting excessive loud music, loud podcasts and use of amplification equipment to broadcast singing, bible readings, protests against the government and offensive language.

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"Following investigation of the complaint by officers of the council’s environmental protection and community safety team, a statutory nuisance was determined. Officers obtained evidence that the nuisance occurred frequently at excessive levels and for lengthy periods of time.

"The subsequent abatement notice was served on 19 May 2023. Despite service of the abatement notice, Jayne Reynolds failed to comply, and the nuisance continued.

"Officers conducted further investigations and gathered evidence that established a breach of the abatement notice. After hearing the case, the district judge fined Jane Reynolds £440 and ordered her to pay £176 surcharge, £500 compensation and £800 costs.

"Having worked diligently on the nuisance investigation and subsequent breach of the abatement notice, which included reviewing 300 audio recordings, officers were satisfied with the outcome."