Wife says noisy sex conviction breaches rights

[Peikko 1,575]

A couple's nightly sex sessions were making their neighbours' lives' hell, a court heard today.

Caroline and Steve Cartwright's love making was described as "murder" and "unnatural" and drowned out their neighbours' televisions.

But it was not just the neighbours who were up in arms about the noise coming from their terraced house in Hall Road, Concord, Washington, Tyne and Wear - even the local postman and a woman who walked past the house taking her child to school complained.

A judge and two magistrates at Newcastle Crown Court even listened to a 10-minute recording of the Cartwrights romps, which were recorded over a five-day period last August.

Neighbours said the Cartwrights sex sessions would usually start around midnight and last for two or three hours, every night of the week.

Mrs Cartwright is appealing her conviction by magistrates for breaching a noise abatement notice that banned the couple from "shouting, screaming or vocalisation at such a level as to be a statutory nuisance".

She is using Article 8 of the Human Rights Act to argue that she has a right to "respect for her private and family life".

Mrs Cartwright is also arguing that she cannot help making the noise and has instructed a sexual psychologist to give evidence on her behalf.

Next door neighbour Rachel O'Connor said she was frequently late for work because she overslept having been awake most of the night because of the noise.

"It is not very pleasant living there and it has been quite stressful," she told the court.

"I always feel intimidated living there. I was aware of it when I first moved in but I did not believe it would be this bad."

Asked what the noise problem was, she replied: "The Cartwrights having sex. It's just quite unnatural.

"The noise sounds like they are both in inconsiderable pain. Mr Cartwright sounds like he is in inconsiderable pain.

"I cannot describe the noise. Totally excessive and I have never ever heard anything like it.

"I put my telly in my bedroom on as loud as it could go and they drown it out."

Specialist equipment installed in Miss O'Connor's flat by Sunderland City Council recorded noise levels of between 30 to 40 decibels, with the highest being 47 decibels.

Marion Dixon, an environmental health manager with the council, told the hearing what happened when the Cartwrights were confronted by the council with the neighbours' complaints.

"Mr Cartwright held his head in his hands but Mrs Cartwright seemed to find it quite amusing," she said.

"I told them at the time that the council found this extremely serious and was considering serving them with a noise abatement notice.

"She was adamant she could not stop the noise and had always done it."

Mrs Dixon said she visited both Miss O'Connor's flat and Marjorie Hall, who lived the other side of the Cartwrights, and took notes of what she heard.

"I heard a male voice howling loudly, which I felt was very unnerving."

Colleague Pamela Spark also visited Hall Road and took written notes of what she heard.

"Hysterical, almost continuous, just screaming," she said.

"I noted that I found it very disturbing and I noted that it sounded like she was being murdered.

"I also noted that it was very alarming."

Link

[Amby 490]

I remember the original story. I can't imagine what these people sound like. Murder?

[SuperDuper! 230]

Hmmm, me thinks cleo likes stories about screamers....

[Peikko 1,575]

I know, it's a bit much - and to say she 'can't help it'? It's quite odd to say the least.

Reminds me of the controversy over the women tennis players, some of them those sounds are, well feral to say the least

It's a story about life, life is interesting - and endless stories about health care and climate change are just a drag.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

"It's quite unnatural"

"The noise sounds like they are both in inconsiderable pain. Mr Cartwright sounds like he is in inconsiderable pain."

[Peikko 1,575]

I think those are typos -

It's normally the Graniad that does those - someone was sleeping.

[Sandrila 1]

Although it was not as reoccuring as this particular situation...we had neighbors in our apt building who caused a stir and a mockery during these past summer months

she sounded like she was in pain and completely careless as to who may be hearing them, including groups of teenagers who would flock just to get a listen and word in.

the worst had to be hearing my EX father in law and his tramp going at it. Being an extended family at that time we had our own separate units. The hardwood floors did nothing but amplify their escapdes...

that repeated experience certainly didn't leave me feeling fuzzy all over

Edited November 9, 2009 by Sandrila

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I'm sure its one of those things that infuriating if you have to live with it - but its hard to read about it and not find it hilarious.

[Peikko 1,575]

We had a screamer in our apartments over the summer but at least she sounded as though she was enjoying herself

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

"I heard a male voice howling loudly, which I felt was very unnerving."

"Hysterical, almost continuous, just screaming," she said.

"I noted that I found it very disturbing and I noted that it sounded like she was being murdered.

:rofl:

We had a screamer in our apartments over the summer but at least she sounded as though she was enjoying herself

Well I went camping a few years back and heard (and saw) a couple going at it in a dome tent with the light on. Not just the sound-effects but a full shadow play.

Edited November 9, 2009 by Gene Hunt

[mawilson 2,133]

I love screamers.

[Sandrila 1]

yeah living with that over and over has to be awful

who hasn't had a spark of curosity and a good chuckle but at some point it does become offensive.

I totally am down with the heat of the moment, but, depending on your living arrangements you do

need to have some awareness and cooth.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The woman who "noted" that she was "very alarmed" its hard not to picture her with a set of flashcards indicating her emotional state.

In this case:

"!?"

[Amby 490]

when I lived in an apartment my neighbors always banged on the wall when they could hear me. I did the same to them. the system worked quite well for us.