Millions have relaxed to the music of Bob Marley but the sound of his reggae cost Deborah Turner her sleep and her quality of life.

Mrs Turner lives in a flat above reggae fan Tara Evans, who was due to appear in court yesterday accused of constantly playing loud music by Marley, UB40 and other reggae artists.

Evans, of Tilgate Close, Brighton, failed to turn up at Brighton Magistrates Court to hear how her music regularly kept the Turner family awake at night and sometimes left them unable to hear their own television set.

But magistrates heard the evidence in her absence, fined her £750 and ordered her to pay £655 towards Brighton and Hove City Council's prosecution costs.

Evans has 14 days to pay the £1,405 total bill.

Council solicitor Len Batten told the court Mrs Turner had been having problems with her downstairs neighbour for the last three years.

She said she was disturbed by loud music and a barking dog but the noise had become much worse in the 12 months.

Mrs Turner, who lives with her partner and six-year-old son, complained to the council of loud music being played throughout the day, evening and into the early hours.

The dog was sometimes shut out on the balcony at night and would wake her in the early hours with its barking.

Mr Batten said: "She could often hear the words of the songs over her television.

"It often contained a lot of heavy base beats and she could feel the vibrations under her floor."

Although she did not recognise the songs, they could be identified as Bob Marley, UB40 and reggae music.

The council served a noise abatement notice on Evans in December last year, warning her to keep the noise down or face a fine but the noise continued.

A council officer who investigated the complaints said the music could be heard from half a block away.