Noise nuisance court action shows strength of partners working together

Tania Evans, of James Street, Hakin is an ateb tenant who has been warned about the continuous playing of loud music and disruptive parties at the property.

Thanks to a Wales-first agreement between Pembrokeshire County Council and ateb, PCC has given delegated authority to named ateb Housing Coordinators to issue Community Protection Warnings (CPW) and, if necessary, Community Protection Notices (CPN).

This move provides ateb with the tools to investigate and enforce and increases the number of officers county-wide to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB).

In this case it was an ateb officer who served the CPW and, when the poor behaviour continued, a CPN.

The CPN covered a range of behaviours to be complied with, including ceasing the loud music causing a detriment to the community.

However, the poor behaviour continued and, as a result, the case was brought to court.

At Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday April 23^rd, PCC as the prosecuting authority, prosecuted for a breach of the CPN.

Evans pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching the CPN in relation to the playing of loud music from the address.

She was ordered to pay £162 for three of the six charges with no separate penalty for the three remaining convictions.

Evans must also pay a victim surcharge of £194 and costs of £650.

In total she must pay £1330.

Nathan Miles, Public Protection Manager at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “This is the first time that this joint approach to tackling ASB between PCC and ateb has resulted in court action.

“Hopefully this will provide some respite for the local community who have had to endure ongoing noise from this address and the impacts on their lives such as sleep loss, stress and anxiety.

“PCC and partners will not hesitate to prosecute where the community is impacted by ASB and continues despite warnings.”