A shopkeeper has been banned from keeping his Alsatian guard dogs within half a mile of his property after they repeatedly ruined neighbours' sleep by barking through the night.

Chaand Anjum, 31, who runs Mecca Convenience Store on Ayres Road in Old Trafford, must also cough up more than £22,000 in fines and court costs.

Anjum was earlier found guilty after a trial of five charges of breaching a noise abatement notice to keep his animals quiet. He now cannot keep any dog within 800 metres of Ayres Road.

The defendant still denies any wrongdoing and says he will lodge an appeal.

Manchester magistrates heard during his sentencing on Monday how, over several years, Anjum has failed to keep his dogs quiet at night.

A neighbour, who didn't want to be named, told the M.E.N after the case that he was 'relieved' by the sentence and 'hopeful' he could now get a good night's sleep.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

"Hopefully, me and the rest of the residents will sleep better," he said.

"The removal of the nuisance will allow us to get on with our lives and feel better. [This judgement] was really one for the people."

During Anjum's trial last month, the disturbance from constant barking caused one couple who live near the shop to nearly split up, while two others had to seek counselling.

Anjum now has 21 days to remove his dogs from his property on Ayres Road.

After the trial in November, the M.E.N was given video footage from a local resident of Anjum's dogs barking.

Prosecutor Philip Robson told the court at the sentencing hearing: "In my submission, this falls somewhere between reckless and deliberate.

"This was ongoing for an extended period of time...He has an action plan with the council that was ignored. The dogs continued to have an impact on residents human health and their quality of life."

Describing the neighbourhood, Mr Robson said: "It's an area that looks like many in Trafford. The dogs are kept in an outside area near the pavement with houses running down the same road and on the opposite side.

"Three residents have taken time off work to come and give evidence. We have perfectly law abiding citizens who are having to take time off work."

Chairman of the bench Scott Cowad gave the defendant a Criminal Behaviour Order, adding: "The prosecution has asked for an exclusion [against you keeping dogs] for a 70 metre radius around the property.

"The court holds this should be amended to 800 metres, or half a mile. You must not keep a dog or any dogs within an 800 metre radius of Ayres Road.

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"If you breach this order you will be brought back to court and you could end up in custody. The dogs must be permanently removed within 21 days."

He was fined £7,000 and also ordered to pay all court costs of £15,700 within 28 days. Anjum, who represented himself in court, did not speak as his sentence was read out.

In a statement, read to the magistrates by the prosecution, the defendant said: "I did not stay for the trial because my sister tried to give the court a memory stick with recordings of the dogs barking on it, but we were told this was not allowed.

"The council has had a barrister and a solicitor at every trial but I haven't been represented, hardly what you would call fair. I have lodged an appeal and I do not accept the sentence given and will lodge an appeal in any event."

Outside the court, Anjum's friend said they had 'substantial evidence' that the council was wrong and would appeal the sentence.