Radio pirate banned from London roof tops
A pirate radio operator who installed illegal equipment on a Camden council tower block has been banned from every roof top in London.
Kieran O’Sullivan pleaded guilty to fixing illegal pirate radio equipment to roof tops of the Chalcots estate in Belsize.
He was given a five-year anti-social behaviour order banning him from going onto roof tops in London at Highbury Magistrates’ Court.
Communication regulator Ofcom worked with the police and Camden council to bring the case to court after residents’ complaints.
Ofcom’s head of investigation, Paul Mercer, said: ‘Ofcom takes firm action against pirate stations. They are a menace to residents and can cause serious interference to radio systems used by the emergency services.’
Councillor James King, Camden’s executive member for community safety, said: ‘Residents deserve to live peaceful lives, and the disruptive and illegal actions of pirate radio operators using people’s homes to set up equipment will not be tolerated.’
Chief inspector Louis Smith from Camden police said: ‘Banning this man from roof tops gives a long term means of controlling his anti-social behaviour.’
Mr O’Sullivan also received a suspended 18 week custodial sentence, a three month curfew, a £1,200 fine and had his radio equipment seized.
Camden council warned residents to look out for signs of pirate radio related activity, for example people entering and leaving blocks in the evenings with electrical equipment or with scaffolding poles.
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