Overview

• Harold Brown was convicted of breaching a noise abatement notice after repeated complaints about his cockerel's early-morning crowing in Calmore, Hampshire.
• Southampton Crown Court dismissed Brown's appeal on April 25, 2025, upholding his conviction and a total liability of £3,931.95 in fines, surcharges, and legal costs.
• The case began in October 2022 when eight households reported sleep disruptions due to crowing as early as 3am, prompting New Forest District Council to issue an abatement notice in December 2022.
• Residents provided diary evidence and testified in court about the noise's impact, with some describing it as 'torture' and citing health and lifestyle disruptions.
• Brown denied the allegations, claiming his bird 'croaks' rather than 'crows' and alleging a conspiracy, but the court found no evidence to support these claims.