An Alresford man who organised an illegal rave at Crabwood, Farley Mount near Winchester last year, has been fined £300 and ordered by pay costs of £200 by Andover Magistrates.
James Robert Peter Dean, 21, of Vernal Cottages, Spring Lane, Alresford, appeared before the magistrates on Wednesday (September 15).
He was taken to court for organising the unlicensed event held on October 31 2003.
On the night in question, police made four visits to the site during a five hour period before the event was closed down. Four people were arrested for public order offences.
Sergeant Bill Ord said: “We are pleased with this result and hope it shows how seriously we take this type of offence. Raves can cause misery to those nearby due to excessive noise and disruption.
“We also hope this sends a clear message to those who hold or attend illegal raves that they will not be tolerated and we will take action.”
Inspector Steve Sargent added: “The police are not out to spoil party-goers’ fun just for the sake of it but, whenever a rave takes place, thousands of people are kept awake all night; the disturbance usually carries on well into the following day and the public are denied access to the site – which is usually a recreational area.
“Also, at raves there is usually no provision for crowd safety, toilets, parking or clearing up litter at the end. For these reasons, the police are given the power to close parties such as this.
“At Crabwood in particular, the sound carries to Winchester and to the surrounding villages, and the area has been declared to be a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
“Hampshire Police have access to information which alerts us to the time and place of forthcoming raves and, throughout the summer, we allocate extra officers to preventing illegal raves. If the rave does not materialise, these officers are diverted to foot patrol in town centres.
“This case shows we are prepared to take swift action against the organisers of these events, and that we can identify them, prosecute them, and seize their equipment – the result being increased peace and safety for the public.”
