A father-of-three has been fined £1,300 for repeatedly subjecting neighbours to loud Celine Dion songs.
Super fan Jacek Korolko, 33, was handed a noise abatement notice after blasting the singer’s hits as well as tunes by Eminem at an “unreasonable volume” in his flats.
Bristol City Council say Mr Korolko persisted in playing the music, ignored warnings and twice breached the notice he had been served.
Last month the case was proved against Mr Korolko, who lives in upmarket Clifton, Bristol, at Bristol Magistrates Court in his absence and he was fined £1,300.
But Mr Korolko, who lives with wife Dagmara, 34 and children Martina, 15, Claudia, six and Oliwia, three, claims he is being hounded out by fellow residents.
He maintains that neighbours have shunned him and complained about noise his children make since he moved in 15 months ago.
But he admits listening to loud music on three occasions – including his wife and teenager daughter’s birthdays.
He said: “I don’t understand it. We are not bad people, I am not a terrorist or a bandit. But I listen to music three times and get a bill for £1,300.
“I am meant to be living in freedom but it feels like sometimes we are in a prison,” he said.
“I can’t listen to music, I can’t let my kids play inside, I can’t have a dog, I can’t decorate my house.
“I feel stressed all the time. I think I have to think about changing my house but like the area I live in. I feel like they want me and my family on the streets.”
He said the complaints have left him feeling increasingly stressed when his children play indoors, has thrown out his stereo, sold his dog.
Martina is also only allowed to listen to music using headphones.
Mr Korolko says he is unable to pay the fine as only his wife works and he has to return to Poland to arrange his father’s funeral.
A spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said that after several warnings they served a notice under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 80 Abatement Notices.
Despite this the complaints continued and officers witnessed two breaches of the abatement notice.
John Sinnott, environmental health officer, said: “We warned Mr Korolko that he was in breach of the noise abatement notice and if he did again it would lead to court action.
“Neighbours have been very distressed at the unreasonable volume of music played often late at night.”
Mr Korolko was fined #500 for the two breaches of the abatement notice and ordered to pay £799.59 costs and £15 victim surcharge.
Cllr Gus Hoyt, cabinet member for communities, environment and equalities, said: “Fines are always the last resort but local residents have the right to live without unreasonable noise from their neighbours.
“We have a policy of prevention and the officers we have do consult with those causing disturbances and there are plenty of warnings before we get to this stage.
“Sometimes – when residents refuse to co-operate – we have to take court action.”