Noisy neighbour appeals sentence
Published: Wednesday, 11 August, 2021
A noisy neighbour in Stroud who ignored council warnings about causing a nuisance, has appealed against his sentence.
Mr Gregg Wootten appeared at Gloucester Crown Court sitting at Cirencester Court House on 30 July to appeal a sentence of non-compliance with a Noise Abatement Notice served by Stroud District Council.
As Mr Wootten did not attend the original court hearing on 21 March, the first penalty was set without an opportunity to take his means and any mitigating circumstances into account.
During the appeal the judge considered the sentence afresh based on the evidence heard and Mr Wootten’s means.
The original sentence of non-compliance with a Noise Abatement Notice was upheld, and Mr Wootten’s penalty was reduced from £5735 to a £1,000 fine, a £100 victim surcharge and a £500 contribution towards costs.
A Forfeiture Order relating to noise-making equipment seized from Mr Wootten’s property was not appealed and remains in place.
The original Notice had been served to address the playing of amplified music and gaming noise at high volumes at Mr Wootten’s property on Westward Road, Ebley, Stroud. The noise was such that it had regularly and unreasonably disturbed his neighbours.
Despite the service of the Abatement Notice, evidence was subsequently gained of multiple instances of non-compliance affecting the neighbouring property, including during Covid lockdown periods.
Cllr Chloe Turner, chair of Stroud District Council’s Environment Committee said:
"This is a positive outcome that upholds the original sentence of failure to comply with a Noise Abatement Notice.
It demonstrates Stroud District Council’s commitment to ensure that residents do not have to tolerate neighbours who refuse to behave in a reasonable manner.”