Birthday party music lands man in court

A man who was arrested for playing excessively loud music at a birthday party was ordered to return to the St James Parish Court on December 13 when he appeared before Parish Judge Sandria Wong-Small last Wednesday.

Richard Mattas pleaded guilty with explanation to breaching the Noise Abatement Act. However, his plea was later changed by the court to not guilty.

Although the date of the alleged incident was not disclosed, the court was told that police officers went to premises in Ironshore where loud music was being played without a permit.

The cops seized several items from the premises, including a speaker system, although nobody claimed responsibility for the items at first. Mattas later came to claim the items, and he was arrested and charged.

In giving his version of events, Mattas told Judge Wong-Small that the music was being played for a birthday party through another individual's phone.

"On the day in question, somebody was playing the music from their phone through the speaker," said Mattas.

"Was the premises private?" asked Wong-Small.

"Yes," Mattas replied.

"On whose behalf was the music being played?" Wong-Small questioned.

"It was a birthday party," Mattas explained.

"Why do you feel as though you can do what you feel like? That's how it starts," Wong-Small said in an annoyed tone.

The court was also told that several statements were still outstanding from the prosecution's case file.

Wong-Small set the case to be mentioned on December 13 and bound Mattas to appear in court on that date.

- C.T.