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Hi-fis seized as Asbo served on Quo fan

Rod Minchin,Press Association
Wednesday 16 September 2009 15:11 BST
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His music had his neighbours Rockin' All Over The World - but now Paul Lloyd is risking going Down Down.

Blasting out Status Quo rock songs at all hours of the day, Lloyd was proving to be a menace to his neighbours.

But he has now been silenced after he was hit with a two-year anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) preventing him from playing loud music.

Lloyd has also had thousands of pounds worth of equipment, including six televisions, four DVD players, hi-fis and set-top boxes seized from him.

The 34-year-old, of Hampstead Road, Benwell, Newcastle, was prosecuted after ignoring a string of Newcastle City Council notices ordering him to keep quiet.

Noise team officers received complaints from people living near him who had been kept awake all night by the thud of the bass beat from his stereo equipment, including hits by Status Quo, whose songs include Rockin' All Over the World, Down Down and Whatever You Want.

Lloyd pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to comply with Noise Abatement Notices and Newcastle magistrates gave him a two-year Asbo which prevents him making any noise that can be heard outside his flat between 11pm and 7am.

He has also been banned from causing alarm, harassment or distress to his neighbours.

If he breaches the terms of the order, Lloyd could be fined or jailed for up to five years.

Stephen Savage, the city council's director of public protection said: "We will not tolerate any sort of behaviour which has a negative effect on other people's quality of life.

"This Asbo shows we'll take appropriate action if necessary."

Councillor Anita Lower, executive member for community safety and regulation said: "I urge Newcastle residents to report any instances of anti-social behaviour via the Neighbourhood Helpline 0300 1000 101.

"The Asbo that Mr Lloyd received sends a clear warning out to those who choose not to consider their neighbours' quality of life."

Lloyd was also told to pay £100 prosecution costs, while the court also ordered the forfeiture of his electronic equipment.

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