Banned busker's drum seized by Police » Communities » 24dash.com

Banned drummer Graeme "Bongo" Conway has been busted.

The busker, who was ordered to quit Newcastle city centre after tormenting residents and shopkeepers with his relentless rhythms, defied an order imposed by council officials.

His African djembe drum was seized by police who caught him entertaining shoppers outside Fenwicks department store yesterday.

The 33-year-old, from Walker, Newcastle, had been silenced by an injunction following a series of complaints.

He was hit with a noise abatement order banning him from playing outside anywhere in the city.

The council warned him if he was spotted or heard playing again in public his drum would be seized and he would face court action, and a fine of up to £5,000.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Officers received a number of complaints from the public dating back to September last year.

"Despite a number of warnings from the neighbourhood beat manager he continued to play at various locations in the city centre.

"On May 21 the city council's noise team were notified and the council served him with a noise abatement notice on May 25.

"At 1pm yesterday police were called to Northumberland Street following complaints from staff in the shops.

"Officers spoke to Mr Conway and confiscated his drum.

"He has been reported to the council for the noise for the noise abatement offence."

His drum has been locked up at Pilgrim Street Police Station in Newcastle.

Mr Conway told the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle said: "I can't believe what's happened. I told the police the noise abatement order only stopped me from playing for 12 hours each day.

"I could not believe it when they told me the order had been amended to
24 hours a day."

Ed Foster, of Newcastle City Council's Night Watch team, said: "The problem was he was playing outside people's homes for clubbers coming out of The Gate at two in the morning and some residents were at their wits' end.

"The police had a lot of complaints. Then he pitched up on Northumberland Street and the shopkeepers began to complain too.

"I can't pass comment on his skills as a musician, but a large part of the problem and the reason for the complaints was he was not going to the proper areas the council provides for buskers, he would just sit down and start to play wherever he felt like it."