A woman was issued a community protection notice over a noise issue.

Joanne Avery of Wear Street, Chester-le-Street, was served with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) making her responsible for the behaviour of visitors to her house.

The order required the 30-year-old to ask visitors to leave the property if they were shouting, swearing, arguing, fighting or playing loud music, magistrates were told.

Durham County Council, which served the notice, was given recordings of excessive noise coming from the property on three separate occasions.

The recordings, from October 2017 and January and February 2018, included raised voices, singing and loud music coming from the address.

Avery did not appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court and was found guilty in her absence. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £713 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Joanne Waller, Durham County Council’s head of environment, health and consumer protection, said: “Avery had the chance to change her behaviour and take responsibility for the actions of those who visited her home after she was served with the CPN. However, it is clear from her actions that she simply has no consideration for others.”

  • Ms Avery appealed against the notice and her appeal was upheld. The council eventually dismissed the case in September 2018. A council spokesman said: "I can confirm that Durham County Council are no longer proceeding with the case. The matters leave no blemish on Ms Avery's record."