Spanish pianist faces jail over noise pollution claims

The pianist and her parents say they did try to soundproof the room

Spanish prosecutors are seeking a 20-month prison sentence for a professional pianist whose former neighbour is suing over alleged noise pollution.

Musician Laia Martin is on trial in Girona after her family's downstairs neighbour, Sonia Bosom, accused her of causing psychological harm.

Prosecutors are also demanding that the 27-year-old be banned from professional piano playing for six months.

A verdict is expected within two weeks.

Ms Martin's parents are also being sued and face a fine if found guilty.

Ms Bosom alleges that the pianist - a conservatoire student at the time - practised her piano for eight hours, five days a week from 2003-2007.

'Piano horror'

The alleged victim said she now has such a horror of pianos, she cannot stand even seeing them in films, reports say.

Ms Bosom's lawyer said she had endured "four years of suffering," the Associated Press news agency reports.

In their defence, the Martin family said they had tried to soundproof the room, and that the practice had not been as constant as claimed.

The public prosecutor had initially sought a jail term of over seven years for Ms Martin.

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