A woman who admitted failing to comply with noise abatement notices claimed she did DIY once after midnight to fix a dinner table in time for Christmas.

Danielle Hayes, aged 35, of Maes Canol, Abergele, told magistrates at Llandudno there were eight occupants of her home, children sharing rooms, and complaints about laughter were “ridiculous.”

She was spared a fine and conditionally discharged for a year but must pay £582 costs following a Conwy council prosecution.

Hayes said to the court: "The council don’t help me.”

She said: ”I would rather have help than be targeted. I am sorry about the noise. I can’t help it, I am trying my best.”

The mum admitted four failures to comply with abatement notices issued in July and December last year.

The allegations involved “excessive” noise caused by laughing, shouting, banging, playing music and from DIY at her home.

Prosecutor Julia Longworth, for the council, said the authority became involved in June last year.

Council noise recording equipment was installed at a neighbour’s property.

The lawyer said there were recordings of hammering and use of electric tools at night including beyond midnight, loud music and banging.

“The authority accepts the defendant lives in a large family and the authority doesn’t expect families to live silently,” Mrs Longworth declared.

Hayes told the magistrates: "It’s like I am being punished for trying to be a mum.”

She was working at a holiday park.