‘Nightmare neighbour’ hit with fine

MAN BLASTED LOUD MUSIC FROM HOUSE DESPITE COMPLAINTS AND COUNCIL THREAT

A NIGHTMARE neighbour has been fined after repeatedly playing loud music, despite the council telling him to stop.

Jonathan Tegland, of Brief Street, Tonge Moor, was initially served with an abatement notice in July 2019 after Bolton council investigated a number of complaints from the property next door.

The 49-year-old described the notice as ‘malicious’ but sound monitoring equipment installed in the neighbour’s home by the council, proved eight breaches in the space of six weeks, Bolton Magistrates’ Court heard.

The breaches were all in 2020 – on January 6 and 9, on February 1, 3, and 17, and on March 13, 14, and 15.

Representing the council, Mike Keaveney told the court that when the complainant tried to talk with Tegland, he would abuse her and turn his music up even louder.

The complainant, who has since moved away from Brief Street, said that the noise had a ‘negative effect’ on her.

However there were no submissions from Mr Keaveney to suggest that the woman moved out because of the noise. Tegland admitted to eight counts of failing to comply with an abatement notice. Representing himself, Tegland told the court that the woman was ‘over-exaggerating.’

He said that he lived next door to her for around 20 years with no other problems and that there have been no issues with the new neighbours. Tegland admitted that he would often turn his music up on Bonfire Night, for his pets.

He said that at the time of the breaches, he was drinking up to 16 cans of alcohol a day due to a bereavement, but has since cut down.

Tegland was fined £250 and ordered to pay £250 court costs.

He was also have to pay a victim surcharge of £32. Chairman of the bench, Jeff Armstrong said: “This has gone on for some time, you’ve had plenty of warnings and

It has cost the council a considerable amount to bring it to court Jeff Armstrong, chairman of the bench

notices.

“It has cost the council a considerable amount to bring it to court and at the end of the day, we as taxpayers have to pay that out of council tax.

“It could have been resolved a lot sooner.

“We’ve been very lenient on this considering you have been a nuisance for some time.”