An 80-year-old pensioner has been ordered to pay almost £4,000 after losing his appeal against a noise abatement conviction for his "nuisance" cockerel.
Harold Brown, from Calmore in Southampton, was found guilty of failing to comply with a noise abatement order at Southampton Magistrates' Court last November.
He was initially fined £580, but after his appeal was rejected at Southampton Crown Court, he received a further £200 fine plus legal costs of £3,651.95.
Environmental health officers recorded Brown's cockerel crowing once a minute for an hour and a half after neighbours complained about the noise.
The bird (not pictured) was recorded repeatedly crowing by environmental health officialsWikimedia CommonsThe bird was heard crowing as early as 3am, subjecting neighbours to what one described as "torture".
A court heard that Brown, who lives in a residential cul-de-sac on the edge of Hampshire's New Forest, had been served with an abatement notice in December 2022.
After his first cockerel died, providing "a brief period of respite", Brown obtained another bird and "the nuisance reoccurred".
Several neighbours testified about the impact of the cockerel on their lives.
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Barbara Cron described it as "a form of torture" when suffering from migraines.
Sharon Lucas reported hearing a "continuous cock-a-doodle-do" that left her tired from early wakings.
Claire Palmer said she had to "avoid" the south side of her house to escape the noise.
Linda Baron testified the bird squawked "on and off all day long" and could start as early as 3am.
Another neighbour said her daughter needed medical help for sleep problems caused by the bird.
Brown, who represented himself in court, disputed the evidence and claimed there was a "conspiracy" from both residents and the New Forest District Council against him.
He refused to give evidence during the hearing.
He was initially fined £580, but after his appeal was rejected at Southampton Crown Court, he received a further £200 fine plus legal costs of £3,651.95
Wikimedia Commons
While cross-examining witnesses, Brown alleged that his first bird was "killed" by the council.
He also contested the noise allegations, telling the court: "It doesn't cock-a-doodle-do, it croaks."
Brown stormed out of court while hearing his verdict.
District Judge Timothy Pattinson found Brown guilty, citing the "disruption of sleep, constant noise" and "medical help being required" for neighbours.
The judge dismissed Brown's "conspiracy theories", saying he found "no evidence of corruption or conspiracy".
A New Forest District Council spokesman said they initially received complaints from eight households in October 2022, with further complaints from 12 households in 2023.
"The judge's comments acknowledged the impact the noise had on their quality of life," the spokesman added.
