Neighbours Awarded Compensation From Man Who Played Music Too Loud

TWO women whose lives were made a misery by loud ASBO pensioner Patrick Hassaen have been awarded compensation by a court. Hassaen – who played loud music, shouted abuse and banged on the ceiling – must pay two of his neighbours �50 each. One neighbour to

TWO women whose lives were made a misery by loud ASBO pensioner Patrick Hassaen have been awarded compensation by a court.

Hassaen - who played loud music, shouted abuse and banged on the ceiling - must pay two of his neighbours �50 each.

One neighbour told magistrates she felt unsafe in her own home, and felt scared, intimidated and distressed by Hassaen's behaviour.

A second neighbour said she wanted to move out of her flat in Wheatsheaf Close, Ely, because she could no longer tolerate his actions.

The 69-year-old was given an ASBO back in August of last year, but has breached its terms on THREE occasions.

The ASBO prohibits him from:

* Making any unreasonable noise, and shouting or swearing inside his house so loudly that is causes harassment, alarm or distress to neighbours.

* Abusing any person verbally or in writing.

A month after being given the ASBO, Hassaen breached it by playing Tom Jones music at full blast. For that offence he was ordered to pay �50 compensation to a neighbour, and fined �85 with �85 costs.

This week he was back in court to be sentenced for two more breaches. He admitted playing loud music for one and a half hours on October 23, causing harassment and distress to neighbours Pamela Craft and Valerie Duncan.

On February 3 he shouted, swore and made unreasonable noise, banging on the ceiling of his flat, and shouting abuse.

Neighbour Pamela Craft told magistrates in a statement: "This would be a nice peaceful place to live if it was not for this man,"

Prosecutor Laura Mardell said: "Clearly these two witnesses have suffered a great deal of distress as a result of his behaviour."

Magistrates read reports on Hassaen, before solicitor Anne Gray told them: "There has been a good deal of co-operation between the ASBO co-ordinator, East Cambridgeshire District Council and Sanctuary Hereward, it would be helpful if he was moved as quickly as possible, particularly for the ladies concerned. But we know that houses don't grow on trees.

"He is trying not to turn up his radio loudly. He is making strenuous efforts to kerb his behaviour."

The court gave Hassaen a 12-month supervision order and he must pay �25 costs.