Sekondi, March.24 - GNA-A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Thursday imposed a fine of 300,000 cedis on a fishmonger for disturbing her neighbours with smoke emissions from her oven.

She pleaded guilty to causing public nuisance in contravention of the bye-law of the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA). The court ordered that 50 percent of the fine should be paid to SAEMA. Prosecuting, Mr Anthony Hayford, an Environmental Health Officer of SAEMA, said the accused lived and carried out her fish mongering business at the Railway Quarters in Takoradi.

He said some residents of the area staying close to the accused had been complaining to her about the inconvenience being caused to them by smoke from her oven used in smoking fish.

Mr Hayford said the accused turned deaf ear to their complainants so the residents reported the matter to the Environmental Health Department of SAEMA.

He said the accused refused to comply with an ultimatum issued by the Environmental Health Department to put a stop to the practice within seven days so she was issued with a summons to appear the court.