Man who repeatedly played loud music fined

A man who repeatedly played "unreasonably" loud music despite numerous complaints from his neighbours has been fined.

In total, 38 complaints were lodged against Imre Lakatos between August and September 2025 Bradford Magistrates' Court heard, though officials said the problem had been ongoing for several years.

Lakatos, of 30 Napier Road, Bradford, did not appear before magistrates on Friday after being charged with failing to comply with a noise abatement notice.

He was found guilty in his absence and ordered him to pay a £445 fine, a £176 court surcharge and £2,290 costs.

Prosecuting on behalf of Bradford Council, Waseem Raja said it had been a "long-standing issue" between Lakatos and his neighbours.

"As a result of the noise, the Environmental Enforcement team became involved, and sent out letters to the defendant," he told the court.

"We issue noise abatement notices as a last resort – the team always try to resolve the matter amicably, and if that doesn't work, provide warnings."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Raja said warning letters sent in 2024 had provided "no relief" for neighbours.

"They were still subject to loud, amplified music being played.

"The breach of the order carried on throughout 2024 and 2025, leading to further complaints."

He said in June 2025 council officers had visited the property and had to knock on a window to attract Lakatos' attention as he had not heard the door due to the music.

"The abatement notice was served on him. He told officers he had been testing the equipment in order to sell it."

The court was told that neighbours provided a number of recordings in the weeks after, where it could clearly be heard that "loud, amplified music with a heavy bass" was still being played.

"It was being played at unreasonable volume levels," Raja said.

An application was made by the council to enter Lakatos' home and seize equipment responsible for the noise, and several speakers were removed from the property and the decision was then made to prosecute Lakatos.

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