A man has been told to pay more than £1,400 after playing loud music at his home.

Mark Carey played songs – in particular “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt – that caused his neighbours “stress, fatigue and anxiety”, a court was told.

When people challenged Carey, 49, about the noise he became abusive.

Plymouth City Council warned Carey about the constant noise – but he ignored the letters.

A Community Protection Order said he “must not cause or act in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress” to any person by way of causing noise which included the playing of music.

Despite this, the loud music continued.

And he refused to pay a fixed penalty for £100.

Environmental Health officers seized Carey’s three televisions and his audio equipment.

Plymouth Magistrates’ Court found Carey – in his absence – guilty of breaching the protection notice and fined him £660.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £699.70 and a £66 victim surcharge.

His audio equipment will not be returned.

Councillor John Riley, Cabinet member for Community Safety, said:

“Everyone has the right to live quietly in their own home, which is why we will not hesitate to bring prosecutions against people who try and take that right away from their neighbours.

“I hope now that the defendant’s neighbours will finally have some peace.”