Singer Barry Manilow performs a medley of the songs Can't Take My Eyes Off of You and What the World Needs Now Is Love at the 2006 American Music Awards in this file photo from November 21, 2006 in Los Angeles. [Reuters]

A US judge has found a novel way to punish teenagers who disturb neighbors with loud rock music. He makes them listen to Barry Manilow.

"These people should have to listen to music they don't like,” said Judge Paul Sacco who sits on the bench in Fort Lupton, Colorado in the heart of small town America.

Judge Sacco calls his punishment technique the Music Immersion Program. Others call it cruel and unusual.

Defendants convicted of violating the Fort Lupton noise ordinance are required to listen to various types of music as punishment. The Music Immersion Class plays classical, country and bagpipe music – but its most fearsome deterrent is its Barry Manilow collection.

Sacco set up the classes after he noticed repeat offenders showing up at his courtroom to pay fines with cash given them by their parents.

The Judge himself confesses to be something of a Manilow fan. “I actually don't think Manilow's too bad," he said.

(China.org.cn by John Sexton November 25, 2008)