Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

She was fined £200 and lost all of her stereo equipment.

Wiltshire Council has prosecuted a Trowbridge woman for causing nuisance by playing loud amplified music. The prosecution was heard at North West Wiltshire Magistrate Court on Monday July 20, 2009.

Kym Arthur of College Road, Trowbridge was fined £200 and lost all of her stereo equipment after she pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching a noise abatement notice served under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act. The council was also awarded £500 in costs.

Environmental health officers served the noise abatement notice on Ms Arthur in July 2008 following noise complaints and after monitoring noise levels. The noise abatement notice required Ms Arthur to restrict noise levels so they couldn’t be heard outside of her property. Despite the notice being served, Ms Arthur continued to play loud music. This breach of the notice was witnessed by environmental health officers at Wiltshire Council on two occasions after they had reminded Ms Arthur of the requirements of the notice.

The two breaches prompted the council to apply to the court for a warrant to seize all the noise generating equipment which included stereos, cassette deck, CD player, amplifier, record player, speakers, radio and a large collection of CD's.

The court allowed Ms Arthur to get her CD collection back but the magistrate ordered all other equipment confiscated to be kept by the council.

Graham Steady, Wiltshire Council’s environmental protection manager, said: "I am pleased with the outcome of the prosecution and hope that this demonstrates that the council is not afraid to exercise it powers of seizure and prosecution in appropriate cases.

“The playing of amplified music that affects neighbouring properties is not necessary and will not be tolerated in the community."