Cecil D'Chuna of Well Hall Road, Eltham had already had his audio equipment seized by the Council after he ignored warnings to turn down his music that was causing a noise nuisance to neighbours.

The prosecution followed months of evidence gathering by council officers and Mr D'Chuna's long-suffering neighbours. The Council had received separate complaints from a number of neighbours on the volume of music played by Mr D'Chuna at his home and, following an investigation, was served a noise abatement notice on 5 January 2018.

Mr D'Chuna failed to comply with the noise abatement notice and left the Council little choice but to take legal action.

Mr D'Chuna, who represented himself at Bexley Magistrates Court on 3 September 2018, was found guilty of two charges of excessive noise in breach of a noise abatement notice. He was ordered to pay £750 towards the Council's costs of bringing the case and to forfeit his audio equipment which was seized by the Council's noise team earlier this year. Mr D'Chuna has been given 28 days to pay.

The court also imposed a conditional discharge sentence, which will have serious consequences and could even lead to imprisonment for Mr D'Chuna should he return to court again within 12 months.

'We will not hesitate to seek prosecution against selfish people'

Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement, said: "Most of us enjoy listening to our music, but there is no need to listen at excessive volumes and cause persistent disturbances to our neighbours while we do so.

"This successful prosecution sends out a strong message that we will not hesitate to seize equipment or seek prosecution against selfish people who persistently cause noise nuisances and have a negative impact on the lives of those around them.

"We encourage any residents experiencing noise nuisance to get in touch with our noise team."

Residents can report a noise complaint by contacting the noise team on 020 8921 8921.

Find out more about making a noise complaint