Noisy neighbour given four-month suspended sentence after breaching antisocial behaviour injunction 54 times

Glen Watson, of Dunstanburgh Close in Washington received a four-month suspended sentence on Friday, March 5 for breaching an injunction 54 times after a neighbour complained of unreasonable and intrusive noise at night and in early hours of the morning.

Sunderland City Council obtained an injunction against Mr Watson in May last year after numerous complaints from a neighbour dating back to October 2019.

The order banned Mr Watson from creating ‘loud or ongoing noises’ such as shouting, using offensive or threatening words or playing loud music at his home at Dustanburgh Close or any other premises.

His neighbour captured evidence of him breaching the order using the council’s noise monitoring application.

The council’s injunction application stated: "All of the recorded instances of noise disturbance were to the distress of the neighbour and demonstrate that the respondent has engaged in anti-social behaviour which is persistent and continuing."

The nightmare neighbour was ordered to immediately terminate his tenancy and has been warned that any further ASB incidents will result in his committal to prison.

Sunderland City Council's leader and portfolio holder for safer communities, Cllr Graeme Miller, said: "We feel that the outcome of this case sends out a strong message that persistent anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Sunderland.

"Mr Watson’s neighbour – a care worker – has been negatively affected by his selfish and irresponsible behaviour, but she showed courage throughout as she cooperated fully with our investigation.

"Our priority is to protect the many decent, law abiding citizens of our city. Individuals persistently showing disregard for the community and allowing their actions to have a detrimental effect on others will be dealt with via the sternest possible means."

Sunderland City Council added that the Court Order remains in place irrespective of Mr Watson’s registered address to prevent him causing noise issues elsewhere in the community.

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