A woman prohibited from singing loudly inside her Norwich flat has been ordered to pay more than £500 for breaching the ban.

Eastern Daily Press: The flats in Stuart Gardens where Heather Webb sang loudly. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe flats in Stuart Gardens where Heather Webb sang loudly. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Heather Webb's singing voice was likened to that of a 'drowning cat' when the case was heard at Norwich Magistrates' Court in May.

The 48-year-old had previously been served with a 24-month Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on December 5, 2017, banning her from singing at a volume which can be heard from outside her property.

But the court heard how Webb, of Stuart Gardens, Saint Faiths Lane, breached the order three times on January 8, 9 and February 7 this year.

Giving evidence at the trial on May 2, one witness said she could hear Webb despite living two-storeys above her.

She said she was watching TV on January 8 with her headphones on when she heard 'screeching and screaming' coming from the defendant's ground-floor flat.

'When I first heard it, I took my headphones off and went to the window to make sure that [Webb's flat] was where the noise was coming from, and it was,' the witness said.

She said Webb was 'screeching' from 11.15am to 11.50am that morning.

The court heard how Webb started again the following day between 11.10am until 11.30am.

Paul Burford, who lives 40 metres away from Webb's property, but in the same complex, said he heard her 'erratic opera singing' on February 7 this year at 8.30am.

He said: 'She sounds like a drowning cat to be honest.'

Webb, who did not appear in court and was not legally represented, pleaded not guilty to the three breaches of her order.

Prosecutor Nicola Pope said Webb told police she could 'not recall' if she was singing on January 8.

She added: 'When asked about the 7th of February she said she has gone to great lengths to close her windows and amend things.'

Magistrates found Webb guilty of breaching the behaviour order on January 8 and 9, as well as on February 7 this year.

At Webb's sentencing on May 9 at Norwich Magistrates' Court, Webb was fined £200, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and court costs of £300.

When contacted today, Webb did not wish to comment on the case, but said she would 'appeal'.