would land him in court.

Gilfether, 27, of Middle Road, Paget, had been a guest at a party in Southampton in June.

The woman throwing the party in a marquee outside a house in Rebecca Road, Heidi Crawford has already been fined $250 for the loud noise, after complaints from a neighbour.

Police Constable Shaun Maybury said that he had to visit the party three times before the music was finally turned off around 2 a.m.

P.c. Maybury told Magistrates' Court that he spoke to Crawford and also to Gilfether who had told him: "Hey, it's not my party; they are just paying me to provide the music.'' The Police officer said that the music could be clearly heard from the complainant's house 150 metres away.

Gilfether denied he told the Police officer he was being paid to provide the music and said that he had simply lent the tape recorder to Crawford. He also denied providing music or operating the tape recorder at the party.

He said: "Mrs. Crawford had lots of tapes of old 60s music -- she was putting the tapes on. I just showed them how to work the stereo and left. It's pretty simple really. I returned later but I was not working as a DJ as the Police seem to be suggesting.

"I am not disputing that the law was broken but I do not feel I should be charged with something I did not do. I would not have pleaded not guilty if I thought I had done something wrong.'' His claim was backed by Crawford's son, Stephen Crawford, a waiter at Sonesta Beach Hotel.

Magistrate, the Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp dismissed the case against Gilfether but told him a lesson should be learned before lending his equipment to friends.

Gilfether said: "I will keep the stereo in my bedroom in future.''