A NOISY neighbour has been convicted after playing music so loud it shook the house next door.

Anthony Barber's neighbours said their lives had been "totally annihilated" by short snaps of techno music blasted in the early hours of the morning.

The 46-year-old yesterday denied breaking a restraining order demanding he did not unduly distress people living near him. But he was found guilty.

Worcester magistrates heard that, at around 10.30pm on Thursday, December 4, last year, bursts of loud music, featuring a heavy bass, came from his house in Ravenshill, Lulsley, near Knightwick.

Rowan Prosser, whose home joins Barber's, said ornaments shook in the living room where she was sitting with husband Stephen.

"We don't sleep at all well - it's totally annihilated our lives. We're tired all day every day," said Mrs Prosser, who has a 14-year-old daughter.

The couple called police and, as statements were being taken at around 2am, the noise started again.

One of the officers, PC Amanda Goose, heard a "very annoying" dull bass sound which, though not loud, was a "constant irritation" that she deemed to break the restraining order.

Judith Kelly, defending, said Barber was unaware of the order and alleged that the Prossers had "victimised" him.

She said they wanted him out to allow Mrs Prosser's mother to move in and started "spying" by making a log of the noises he made.

But Mrs Prosser said her mother had no wish to move and Elgar Housing, which own the properties, decides who takes vacant premises.

"It's not spying," added Mrs Prosser. "It's a neighbour making some form of note so if people ask whether it really happened we can say 'Yes, it did'."

Mrs Kelly said the case should be dismissed because the injunction against Barber was not produced in court. Magistrates disagreed, fined him £50 and ordered him to pay £50 costs.