Judge's sentence for youngsters who play their music too loud: listen to Barry Manilow for an hour

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated:


A judge has been sentencing young noise polluters to a 'horrible punishment'  -  an hour of listening to Barry Manilow.

Those found guilty of playing their music too loud must sit in a room where the hits of Manilow, pictured, are pumped in at top volume.

They also face music by other artists not known to be popular with the young, such as Barney the Dinosaur, Dolly Parton and Karen Carpenter.

Judge Paul Sacco says his methods not only fit the crime, but have cut the number of repeat offenders in Fort Lupton, Colorado.

'When you have a person playing rap at extreme volumes all over the city, and they have to sit down and listen for an hour to Barry Manilow, it's horrible punishment,' he said.

Scroll down for video of the youngsters receiving their punishment

Barry Manilow

Punishment: Youths who play their music too loud are subjected to an hour of Barry Manilow (above), Dolly Parton or Karen Carpenters. 'These people should have to listen to music they don't like,' said judge Paul Sacco

Judge Sacco said the sentence fitted the crime.

'When you have a person playing rap at extreme volumes all over the city, and they have to sit down and listen for an hour to Barry Manilow, it's horrible punishment,' he said.

Judge Sacco said his love for music - and helping young people - inspired the unusual sentence.

'It's a punishment but it doesn't hurt as bad as jail or (paying) a lot of money,' he said.

'These people should have to listen to music they don't like.'

He said he began his programme of punishing repeat offenders two years ago when he noticed that many simply showed up at his courtroom to pay their fine with cash.

'Most kids don't want to hear somebody like Glenn Close trying to sing opera,' he said.

A video of a recent class showed teenagers with long faces shifting in their seats or looking up at the ceiling.

'You can't fall asleep,' said teenager Rueben Fuentes, before letting out a bit of a sigh.

Members of a garage band were at the class after playing music late at night in their garden.

"People who were at the party loved it. I'm not sure the cops did," said band member Robert Mort

'Too much music, too loud, too late,' added band member Harrison DeRuiter.

So what does Sacco think of Barry Manilow?

'I actually don't think Manilow's too bad,' he said.

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