Man told to pay more than £3k over noisy cockerel

A man who was fined £200 over noise nuisance from a cockerel has been ordered to pay a further £3,300 in court costs after losing an appeal.

Harold Brown, 80, was originally convicted in November 2024 of breaching a noise abatement notice issued by New Forest District Council.

Neighbours in Calmore, Hampshire, kept diaries to record early morning disturbances, the council said.

Southampton Crown Court imposed the extra costs after dismissing Brown's case on Friday.

Residents in Friars Croft first complained about the early morning nuisance in 2022, the council said.

An abatement notice led to a "brief period of respite" before the problems resumed in 2023, it added.

"The diary evidence kept by local residents highlighted that the crowing regularly affected their sleep from as early as 05:00 each day," the authority said.

In November 2024, Brown was fined £200 and was ordered to pay £300 in costs as well as an £80 surcharge.

On Friday, the court ordered Brown to pay extra legal costs of £3,351.95 to cover the appeal hearing.

New Forest District Council said it was committed to protecting residents from unacceptable noise.

Cabinet member Dan Poole said: "Everyone has the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home."

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