UK man fined Rs1,40,000 for blasting James Blunt songs late at night

Team Udayavani, Nov 20, 2021, 11:25 AM IST

Source: unsplash

Being a music aficionado is one thing, but forcing your neighbours to listen to your tastes in music may not be the best option. After blasting James Blunt songs in his neighbourhood, a man in England was hit with a hefty £1400 (Rs1,40,319) charge. According to the Independent, Mark Carey, a resident of Plymouth, played Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” at an extremely loud volume, upsetting the sleep of others living around him and generating “stress, weariness, and anxiety.”

Carey’s case was heard at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court, according to a report. It was emphasised throughout the hearing that Carey was not blasting the iconic 2004 song because he was going through a difficult breakup, but rather because he appreciated the music. Carey appears to be a repeat offender, as this isn’t the first time he’s received a warning.

The 49-year-old has been the target of multiple complaints to the council over loud music, according to the Plymouth Herald. After ignoring three earlier letters warning him about his noise levels, he was issued a Community Protection Notice in October 2020. According to the Plymouth Herald, Carey was handed a notice last year asking him not to cause or act in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to any person by making noise, which included playing music.

Carey, on the other hand, ignored the warnings and continued to play the songs at full blast. The noise was heard three times between July 25 and August 4, according to the Plymouth Herald. Carey’s neighbours also made audio recordings of the music being played late into the night at inappropriate volumes. Pitbull feat Ke$ha’s Timber was among the tracks recorded.

After the audio was shared with the Environmental Health inspectors, he was handed a £100 fixed penalty notice (Rs10,000). Carey’s failure to pay the charge was the final straw, and he went to blast “You’re beautiful” by James Blunt. Following that, Environmental Health Officers secured and executed a search order at Carey’s home, seizing three television sets, speakers, and other music equipment. On Monday, Carey’s case was heard in his absence, and he was found guilty of violating a Community Protection Notice.