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A “noisy neighbour” has hit back at his local authority with support from his fellow residents after being handed a hefty fine for playing music.
In October, Leon Witt, of Beaconsfield Road, Sittingbourne, had his speakers and music equipment, which he was borrowing from a friend, seized by Swale Council after it received numerous complaints dating back to March.
The 49-year-old was ordered to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 7, but failed to show up as he was caring for his elderly parents.
In his absence he was found guilty of flouting anti-social behaviour laws and told to pay a total of £1,255 within 28 days.
Now Leon has spoken out about the “unfair treatment” he’s received and has been backed by neighbours who branded the decision “harsh and unnecessary”.
He said: “I care for my mum and my dad who recently had a stroke, and sometimes I would go to a room on the side of our house and play some music for my own sanity.
“I’ll sit down and have a cigarette and a beer and relax for a bit.
“I’ve struggled with my mental health, this pandemic's not been easy for anyone and because of my parents and their conditions I’ve been in the house isolating with them for months, even before the lockdown.”
Jobless Leon thinks the complaints came from new residents on the street.
He added: “We’ve lived here for 42 years and never had a problem with anyone, so it must be someone who has moved here recently.
“When the council came in to seize my stuff with police they barged in, nearly knocking my mum with her frame over and stressed my dad out so much he was coughing up blood and had to go to hospital."
The Sittingbourne resident said he is partially deaf in his right ear after perforating an ear drum but has always turned his music down if neighbours have told him it’s a bit loud.
“I just feel like I’ve been unfairly treated,” he said.
“I rely on my parents for money as I don’t have a job or claim benefits, so I don’t know where the courts expect me to magic £1,250 quid from.”
Annette Jordan, who lives opposite Mr Witt, said: “My husband and I thought it was harsh on him as it’s never really been a problem.
“He will come and sit in a small room next to the house and play it, and sometimes it gets a bit loud but when we’ve asked him to turn it down he does it straight away.
“We’ve lived here 39 years and he’s been here all that time and never been a nuisance.
'My husband and I thought it was harsh on him as it’s never really been a problem...'
“He was out on Thursdays playing music for everyone when we were clapping for the NHS staff and playing Vera Lynn songs on VE Day which the whole street sang along to.
“He cares for his elderly parents and is a nice man. We heard the council woman had come around and been very abrupt with him and that his stuff was taken. It seems a bit much, really.”
One neighbour, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the music can get loud but it’s “never really been that bad”.
He added: “Sometimes you think 'really?', but it’s not been anywhere near bad enough to complain about. Sometimes I just wish it was different music, but it’s never drove me nuts.”
Another neighbour said: “If I’m outside my house I’ll be able to hear it, but as soon as I go indoors I can’t, so it’s not too loud.”
Swale council’s cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Tim Valentine, said: “This is a win for the residents who were subjected to very loud music throughout the day and night since lockdown began back in March.
“Despite numerous conversations with the occupant, the noise nuisance continued so we visited the home and confiscated the music equipment.
“I hope this £1,255 collection of fine, victim surcharge and court costs will be a deterrent to others who ignore anti-social behaviour laws.
“With people staying at home as much as possible this year while the world grapples to manage the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the last thing these neighbours needed was a constant noise nuisance.
“Not only will Mr Witt have to pay his fine and court costs, but he won’t be getting his equipment back. We’ll be donating some of the equipment to charity and recycling the rest.
“We will support any residents whose wellbeing is threatened due to the anti-social behaviour of their neighbours and encourage people to contact us for help and advice.”
