Violators of the noise ordinance in Fort Lupton, Colorado, are being sentenced to listen to the songs of Barry Manilow, Barney the Dinosaur, and other singers they dislike.

The innovative punishment was established by Fort Lupton Municipal Judge Paul Sacco, who decided to hand out the sentences after noticing that several repeat noise ordinance violators paid their fines with cash and still returned to his courtroom.

It may seem quite side-splitting to you, but for the infringers of the law this is cruel. According to this unusual punishment, four times a year, offenders are brought in a room and forced to sit there for an hour and listen to the music they have an aversion to. This includes “Copacabana” singer Barry Manilow. Ironically or not, the Colorado judge actually thinks that Manilow is “not too bad." So I guess this way he admits the new punishment may not work on everyone.

"These people should have to listen to music they don't like," Sacco told Denver's KUSA-TV.  So, in order not to be so harshly punished, people aren't required to do anything else that simply be law-abiding citizens.

The Platters' “Only You,” Barry Manilow's “I can't smile without you” and Joni Mitchell's “Chelsea Morning” count among the songs included in one of the playlists.  Mr. Sacco said one could notice a massive fall in the number of repeat noise polluters in the small town of Fort Lupton.