One in the Eye for Noisy Optician


Magistrates put end to karaoke parties in Hammersmith flat

An optician has been fined after party-goers at his property indulged in late night karaoke-style singing that was enough to make even angels weep.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council received numerous complaints that noisy get-togethers at Caiphas Chambati’s flat in Aiten Place, Hammersmith, were too loud.

On one occasion, an environmental health officer turned up at the flat to find people there singing Robbie Williams’ number one hit Angels – but their rendition of the ballad was far from heavenly and landed Chambati in hot water with the law.

Warnings from environmental health officers went unheeded, even though he had been served with a noise abatement notice preventing anyone in the property from causing loud noise or nuisance to neighbours.

At West London Magistrates Court on July 10, Chambati said that he was subletting the property but agreed that he had responsibility for his tenants and was aware of the noise abatement notice.

He was fined £250 for breaching a noise abatement notice that was served on him in January 2007 and ordered to pay £500 in costs to the council, along with a victim’s surcharge of £15.

Councillor Greg Smith, cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: “This just goes to prove that landlords have a responsibility for their property, whether they are living there or not. The makeshift choir that was found at the flat was entertaining an audience that didn’t want to listen.”

July 25, 2008