A Thurrock resident has been ordered to pay almost £3,000 after repeatedly failing to comply with a legal notice requiring him to stop excessive noise from amplified music.
Darren Rawlinson was prosecuted by Thurrock Council after breaching a noise abatement notice served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The notice was issued on 19 August 2025 following concerns about noise from amplified music affecting neighbouring residents.
Despite the notice, the court heard that Mr Rawlinson continued to fail to comply over a prolonged period between 22 August 2025 and 7 February 2026.
The case was heard at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 1 October 2026. Mr Rawlinson did not attend the hearing, and the case was proved in his absence.
Magistrates heard that Mr Rawlinson had been made aware of the ongoing concerns about his compliance with the notice, including through correspondence, meetings and attempts by council officers to arrange further meetings.
The council also outlined the impact the continued noise nuisance had on neighbouring residents, and the work and costs involved in investigating the case and bringing it before the court.
Mr Rawlinson was ordered to pay:
- a £660 fine
- a £264 victim surcharge
- £2,000 towards the council’s costs.
- The total amount payable is £2,924.
Councillor Russell Cherry, Cabinet Member for Veterans, Enforcement and Environment, said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy their home without being subjected to persistent and unreasonable noise.
“Our Environmental Protection officers will always try to resolve problems and work with residents first, but where someone repeatedly ignores a legal notice and continues causing a nuisance to their neighbours, we will take further action.
“This case demonstrates that noise abatement notices must be taken seriously and that we will use the powers available to us when necessary to protect our communities.”
Residents experiencing persistent noise nuisance can report it here: Noise complaints | Noise nuisance | Thurrock Council.