Vanessa Feltz fined for noisy celebration at St John's Wood home

A FAMILY celebration landed fast-talking radio presenter Vanessa Feltz in court today.

The larger-than-life celebrity was ordered to pay more than �3,000 by a judge for holding a noisy all-weekend party at her St John's Wood home.

A total of 12 complaints were made by neighbours in Langford Place over the March weekend after she blasted music from a marquee in her garden.

Ms Feltz, who presents the BBC London radio show on weekday mornings, was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court today but instead pleaded guilty by post.

In a letter of mitigation she told the court that she was holding a "double family celebration" over the Saturday March 27, and Sunday March 28.

But District Judge Daphne Wickham rejected her claims and after enquiring about the presenter's means fined her �1500.

She also ordered her to pay �1,715.15 in costs to Westminster Council for the "most inconsiderate" noise breaches.

Ms Feltz, who presents the BBC London radio show on weekday mornings, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a noise abatement order by post.

District Judge Wickham said: "She maintains it was a family celebration, a double celebration involving her family.

"She explains that they had a test in the afternoon in the marquee and then she was aware that they had been asked for the music to be turned down on the Saturday night and had done so immediately.

"On the Sunday I think she says she herself was not present for some part of the time in the evening, she had left.

"It is all a double family celebration for which she appears to express her regret and solemn assurance it will not happen again.

"There has been no previous complaint and this in fairness appears to be a one-off affair in which they have been most inconsiderate."

Miss Feltz, of Langford Place, was ordered to pay a fine, costs and a victim surcharge of �15 amounting to �3,230.15.