Izzy Lepone 20 May 2025

Ball game disruption costs council £1,000

Ball game disruption costs council £1,000 image
© sjm1 / Shutterstock.com.

Hampshire County Council has been told to pay a couple £1,000 in damages due to the inconvenience caused by the neighbouring school’s play area.

The couple filed a legal complaint against the council after 170 footballs were kicked into their garden from a school’s playground over an 11-month period.

In his recent ruling, a High Court judge reportedly confirmed that the disruption caused to Mohamed and Marie-Anne Bakhaty constituted a ‘common law nuisance’ but said the couple had ‘lost perspective’.

Judge Philip Glen reportedly concluded that the claimants ‘have become sensitised by the noise from the school’ and remain ‘over-invested in their belief that they are victims of a wrong’.

The play area belonging to Westgate School is separated from the Bakhaty’s home by a 1.8m wooden fence, and a net was introduced in 2022 by the school’s headteacher to prevent further balls crossing the boundary.

Whilst the judge ruled that the defendant seemed unlikely to ‘continue the nuisance’, he ordered the council to compensate the couple for the damages incurred before the fence and ball net were implemented, the BBC reported.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner