Washington woman fined after driving neighbour to desperation with late night noise

Jessica Holloway, 28, drove her victim to distraction and “desperate” for her behaviour to stop during two incidents at her home in Collingwood Court, Sulgrave.

Two particular incidents relate to Thursday, December 4, and Tuesday, January 6, each time while subject to a council-imposed community protection notice (CPN).

The notice stemmed from earlier issues she had caused and was meant to force her to keep a lid on her antics, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

Holloway later confessed she had been drinking heavily and taking drugs, largely due to worry caused by her then abusive partner.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with a CPN, with her behaviour since showing marked improvement, with no further incidents, her solicitor insisted.

Sign up for the Echo’s free newsletters and let the headlines come to you

Prosecutor John Garside said Holloway was issued with the CPN in October, with conditions that included her and visitors keeping noise at an acceptable level.

He added: “Her neighbour says that since the community protection notice was issued, he has encountered more issues.

“On December 4, he was woken by noise coming from the defendant’s property. It started at 10pm and continued until he fell asleep at 1.09am.

“He recorded the noise on the council’s noise app and sent it as evidence.

“A police officer states that on January 6 he became aware of an ongoing domestic dispute at the defendant’s address.

“There was reported noise at 12.28am and he attended and identified the defendant as being in breach, due to excessive noise.

“The council reviewed five noise recordings of her shouting just after midnight and arguing with an unknown male and objects being smashed.”

Mr Garside also asked the court to impose an interim criminal behaviour order, ahead of a full application to the court.

In a victim statement, Holloway’s neighbour said he hoped a “last ditch attempt” could be made to “get some peace”.

He claimed her behaviour had impacted on his mental health, adding he now had a “terrible existence” and was “desperate” to get the noise to stop.

Ian Cassidy, defending, said Holloway could remember little of her behaviour on December 4.

He said the second offence was committed after her then partner imposed himself on her after his prison release.

Mr Cassidy added: “What she says and what seems to have happened is that the defendant at that time was in a very different place.

“She says that back then she was drinking excessively due to domestic violence and taking drugs.

“She has since split from her partner and there have been no further incidents. She doesn’t take drugs and has cut down on her drinking.”

Magistrates fined Holloway £100, with £85 court costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

They denied the prosecution application for an interim criminal behaviour order.

The application for a full criminal behaviour order will be heard at the same court on Wednesday, May 6.