Reculver man fined for listening to Seal too loud on New Year's Eve
by Joe Walker
A man was fined £50 after
blasting Seal’s greatest hits from his car just minutes before
midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Jolan Malhas, 40, found himself in
a spot of bother after neighbours complained to police about the
soul singer’s loud warbling.
Officers were called to Neville
Way, Reculver and found jobless Malhas sitting in his car with the
stereo blaring.
Prosecuting, Jim Harvey said Malhas
was “extremely abusive” to police and arrested.
He was charged with being drunk and
disorderly and appeared in the dock at Canterbury magistrates.
Representing himself, he denied the
charge, saying: “Personally, I don’t feel I should be standing
here.
“I was sitting in my car listening
to Seal’s greatest hits, which I was given for Christmas.
“I was in my allocated parking spot
and had only gone to the car because I didn’t want to disturb any
of my neighbours. I just wanted to listen to some music.
“I was genuinely shocked when the
police turned up.”
After listening to his account, the
prosecution offered Malhas the alternative charge of a Section 5
Public Order offence – given for using threatening, abusive or
insulting words or behaviour.
Deliberating the offer, Malhas
said: “We did raise voices and had a bit of an argument, but I
didn’t swear at them.
“I don’t want this to go to trial
because it would be a waste of public money.
“I’ll take the Section 5 thing -
that’s my final answer.”
Malhas was subject to a conditional
discharge for a previous conviction but magistrates chose not to
activate it.
Instead they fined him £50 and
ordered him to pay £85 court costs.
Thursday, January 28 2010