Prosecutors in Madrid are looking to put a young Spanish pianist in jail for allegedly causing her neighbor psychological damage due to noise pollution brought on by hours of practicing.
According to the Associated Press, the neighbor, who has been identified as Sonia B, filed the suit after she reportedly was subject to loud noise pollution between 2003 and 2007 for eight hours a day, five days a week - the time period that pianist Laia Martin practiced. Martin, who is now a professional concert pianist, lived below Sonia B. in the northeastern town of Puigcerda, AP reported.
28-year-old Martin maintained during the initial hearing on Monday that she did not practice in her house very often, adding that her classes took place in other towns.
She also testified that her parents took all the necessary steps to reduce the noise, including soundproofing her room.
Sonia B. claimed that this was not true, and said that the noise caused her anxiety and stress, which also put further negative affects on her pregnancy.
El Pais newspaper reported that Sonia B. informed the court she now hated pianos and moved out of the apartment in 2007.
The prosecution is seeking a seven-and-a-half year prison sentence for Martin if she's found guilty.