Noise nuisance ignored notice to turn down TV

John Power, 58, of Findhorn Avenue, was fined £1,500 on 20 June during a hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court. 

The court was told Power had been regularly watching television so loudly at his previous home in Juniper Way that it caused a severe disturbance to his neighbours. 

An investigation by the council's anti-social behaviour team into the nuisance revealed one neighbour had been suffering from anxiety, sleeplessness and mental health issues as a result of the incessant noise. 

The court was told the ASB officers issued the Noise Abatement Notice on 25 February 2022 after hearing the noise and deeming it loud enough to be a nuisance. The notice required Power to stop making the excessive noise. 

But the court was told he had since breached the notice 11 times as witnessed by the ASB officers and the noise levels had been so bad that one resident had been forced to report it to the council's ASB service on 30 occasions. 

Power had been found guilty in his absence at an earlier hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on 30 May 2023. The court found that Power had failed to comply with requirements of a Noise Abatement Notice between 16 October 2022 and 9 February 2023. 

The court heard mitigation that Power was playing the TV loudly to drown out the noise of neighbours' footsteps and talking. 

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "The court has agreed with the council that this was a deliberate and persistent noise nuisance that lowered the quality of life for Mr Power's neighbours. 

"We want residents to feel safe and happy in our borough so won't tolerate behaviours that cause harm or distress to others in our communities." 

In addition to a fine, Power was also ordered to pay compensation to the victim of £150 and prosecution costs of £938.88.  

To report a noise nuisance, call our out of hours service on 01895 250111, or complete our online form.