A NOISY neighbour who breached a noise abatement order seven times in six days has escaped prosecution.

Council officers in Worthing confiscated 36 different pieces of music and stereo equipment belonging to the man after a series of complaints in the months leading up to August.

The man’s persistent and loud bass-driven music led one neighbour to be sent home from work with anxiety and a lack of sleep.

After a number warning letters and personal visits from council officers the noisy neighbour, who has not been named by the council, was given a noise abatement notice on August 1. But he responded by turning up the volume and playing music more frequently, breaching the order seven times in six days.

The show finally came to an end when his equipment was seized from his first-floor flat in Eriswell Road, Worthing, on August 8.

But after considering prosecuting the man, environmental protection at Worthing Borough Council has confirmed the matter will not be taken any further.

Katharine Giddings, environmental health technician at the council, said: “A noise abatement notice was served on the subject on August 1.

“The notice was subsequently breached seven times in six days, hence the seizure on August 8.

“The decision was made not to prosecute the subject, taking into consideration, amongst other factors, the subject’s behaviour following the seizure, the effect being had on the public, the associated cost of undertaking court proceedings and that the property is now empty.”

The man was invited to pay the council £102.35 in costs and collect his previously confiscated equipment yesterday, which includes a collection of speakers, monitors, sub-woofers, vinyl turntables and two televisions. He did not collect the equipment.

Ms Giddings said: “The subject has been invited to collect the equipment, once our reasonable costs have been paid.

“As the equipment has not been collected, environmental protection will store it for six months before disposing of it.”