A NOISY neighbour has been made to face the music after a court ordered him to pay £1,220 in fines and costs.

Steven Birch, from The Orchards, in Lydney, has also had his music equipment seized for deafening residents, Cheltenham magistrates heard.

But there was only silence in court when the 32-year-old was called, as he failed to attend the hearing and was found guilty in his absence of breaching a noise abatement notice.

Birch was originally served with the noise abatement notice by Forest Council officers on April 6, but continually breached the conditions by playing amplified music at excessive levels, resulting in council officers seizing his music equipment on June 12.

He was summoned to Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 11, but failed to attend.

And in his absence, magistrates found Birch guilty and fined him £660 with £500, plus a victim surcharge of £60.

Cllr Chris McFarling (Newland and St Briavels, Green), Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "This case proves that residents do not have to put up with unacceptably noisy neighbours and are entitled to enjoy living in their homes in peace, and the council will take appropriate action to protect that right.

"Prosecution is the last resort and we will always provide help and advice in the first instance.

"However we will not hesitate to take formal action where required to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone living and working in the district."