A MAN has been ordered to pay £300 after his dogs kept neighbours awake at night.

John Barrett, of Severn Road, Clacton, admitted failing to comply with a noise abatement notice ordering him to keep the dogs quiet.

The order was issued after complaints to Tendring Council from neighbours about Barrett’s German shepherds and Jack Russells, Colchester Magistrates’ Court was told.

Linda Trembath, prosecuting, said one of the complainants, Brian Hockley, 71, suffered anxiety and nervousness after being deprived of sleep by the noise.

She said: “Having your sleep disturbed is probably even more of a problem when you’re elderly than when you’re younger.”

The council issued a noise abatement notice on September 28 last year, but the dogs were still barking on November 15, so the council installed recording equipment in neighbours’ homes.

Barking was recorded 63 times between November 22 and November 30, between the hours of 9pm and 7am.

Barrett was not in court for yesterday’s hearing, but in a statement said he did not hear the dogs barking at night because he suffers from tinnitus and slept wearing headphones. He said the first he knew of any problem had been when the council’s environmental health officers contacted him.

After that, he said he spent £870 on a dog trainer and other steps aimed at reducing the barking, without success. He had since given up both dogs to new homes.

Magistrates fined him £150 with £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the hearing, neighbour Mr Hockley said: “It was absolute hell. It was all day long while he was at work, but it got particularly bad at night.

“I couldn’t sleep and it was a big problem. I became quite ill, so I had to get hold of the environmental people. I’m so relieved it’s over.

“Mr Barrett took the dogs and found them different homes. I’ve got nothing against him. He’s a nice lad and he did exactly what he said he would.”

Barrett was not at home when contacted by the Gazette.