Noisy neighbour threatened with anti-social behaviour order

A nuisance neighbour who twice refused to turn down his television after complaints were made about the noise he caused may be given an anti-social behaviour order.

Michael Goodlad, 19, of Hoofields in Lerwick, was today described as “a menace” to his neighbours after failing to keep the volume from his set down on 22nd July and again on 3rd August, despite being told to do so by police.

Goodlad, who has already been evicted from a previous address following similar complaints, made threats and repeatedly kicked his TV.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court Goodlad also admitted behaving aggressively towards a man who was running away from him in Gilbertson Road on 9th July.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Goodlad was an “immature show-off”. He said Goodlad’s friends took advantage of him, using his home as a party venue.

Asked by Sheriff Graeme Napier if an anti-social behaviour order, or ASBO, would be appropriate, he admitted the time may have come.

“He’s well known to the police for this sort of anti-social behaviour. You don’t need me to tell the court just how debilitating it can be for those living nearby to contend with that.”

In the other incident, the court heard Goodlad invited the complainer to a party and took offence when the man turned down his invitation.

The man became concerned for his safety and ran off “extremely scared”, but was chased by Goodlad, who had been drinking.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Goodlad had given up his job with a local construction firm, because he thought he would be starting a new job at Sullom Voe. That has not happened yet, but the court heard he expected to hear about it “any day now” in which case he will have a steady income.

Sheriff Napier said giving up his old job before the new one had been finally secured showed a “lack of common sense”. He was further annoyed by Goodlad when his mobile phone went off from the dock.

“What’s been described is the type of nuisance neighbour that I certainly wouldn’t want to live beside,” he said.

Calling for reports, he ordered an assessment be carried out as to whether an anti-social behaviour order might be appropriate, and granted calls from the Crown for Goodlad’s television to be forfeited.

Goodlad will appear in court again on 14th December.