A landlord has been fined £2,500 for allowing loud music to blast out of his pub.

Steven Shaw, 58, of The Ship, Bill Street Road, Strood, was found guilty of five breaches of abatement notices which had been served on the pub to help protect neighbours from noise nuisance.

The action related to excessive amplified music being played there.

He was cleared of a further three breaches when he stood trial at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

With court costs, must now pay £6,118 in total.

Environmental health officers from Medway Council visited The Ship several times between May and December last year over complaints about the noise.

Cllr Peter Hicks, the council’s head of community safety, said: “Statutory noise nuisance is detrimental to the quality of life of local residents.

“In this case, Medway Council officers had contacted the defendant both informally and formally on multiple occasions to try to attempt to resolve the situation without recourse to legal action being taken.

“However, the defendant chose not to take this option and it was found to be necessary to serve two separate noise abatement notices.

“The defendant has showed a blatant disregard for the nearby residents and the notices that have been served upon him.

“As a result, the council has had no other choice but to instigate legal proceedings.”