Colchester Alefounder Close woman fined for relentless noise

Colchester Council took action against Cheryl Pridmore after complaints were made about the sound coming from her property in Alefounder Close, Colchester.

The resident was handed a noise abatement notice on March 1 by the authority which meant she was legally required to turn the noise down.

But the council has now successfully prosecuted Pridmore after she flouted the notice on seven occasions between March 3, just two days after it was served, and March 20.

Noisy neighbour - Alefounder Close in Greenstead, Colchester (Image: Google)

Colchester Magistrates’ Court was told the defendant was causing a nuisance by shouting in her property in Greenstead and playing amplified sound.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “A noise abatement notice was served on Ms Cheryl Pridmore on March 1 2023, for shouting and amplified sound.

“Unfortunately, the noise complaints continued after the notice was served and sufficient evidence was obtained to recommend prosecution.”

Pridmore, of Alefounder Close, Colchester, did not appear in court and seven offences of failing to comply with an abatement notice were proven in her absence.

Casework - Greenstead councillor Julie Young worked to mute Pridmore's noise (Image: Newsquest)

She was fined £1,750 and ordered to pay a further £700 in a victim surcharge and £150 in costs to the court.

Greenstead councillor Julie Young said there has been ongoing efforts in the community to tackle Pridmore's noise.

She said: “This noise nuisance has been ongoing for several months now causing distress to neighbours.

"This level of fee she has received shows the necessity to comply with a noise abatement order.

Sentence - Colchester Magistrates' Court

"We all need to be aware of how our lifestyle might impact on others.”

The council spokesman added: “Nuisance noise is not only anti-social but can also adversely affects the lives of residents.

“While we always act on complaints and endeavour to find ways to resolve the problem to everyone’s satisfaction, it sometimes becomes necessary, as part of the council’s statutory duties, to apply the law and serve a noise abatement notice to prevent a recurrence of the problem, and if necessary, pursue further enforcement action through the courts.”