London, April 24: A British court told a half-deaf country music fan to buy an iPod or risk jail because he plays his records too loud.
A court in Scotland warned Michael O’Rourke, 51 – who was hauled before magistrates 24 times over his blaring tunes – after he admitted twice breaching an Antisocial Behavior Order (ASBO), The Sun said.
The court heard that O’Rourke was given an ASBO last May over the racket coming from his house in the town of Peterhead, 30 miles northeast of Aberdeen.
But he broke the order just days later, and again earlier this year.
O’Rourke, who is about “50 percent deaf”, was given three months to turn down the volume before being sentenced in July.
Court official Edward Savage told him: “I’d suggest you switch from speakers to headphones. You’re in danger of becoming the oldest swinger in town.”
But O’Rourke was defiant following the ruling.
“Neighbors are trying to stop me having a life,” he said. “It’s not like I turn my house into a disco. Everyone loves a moan.”
“I can’t use an iPod – I wouldn’t hear it,” he added.
—Agencies