Call that punishment?
Criminals on community service pose for selfies and drink lager
It is supposed to be a punishment and a way for criminals to repay the local community.
But these three offenders were laughing at the law as they toasted their sentence of unpaid work with cans of lager.
Pictures on social media showed the trio wearing Community Payback vests and holding cans of Carling.
It was accompanied by the caption: ‘Might as well av a few on unpaid wrk.’
Other images feature the same men looking at their smartphones and posing for selfies with their thumbs up.
Another caption read: ‘Unpaid work time with the lads let the good times roll.’ Community Payback is handed out as punishment by the courts for criminal offences and offenders can be ordered to do anything from 40 to 300 hours of unpaid work.
Lee Snowden, 30, Matthew fisher and another man, who has not been named, were doing gardening work at thompson Court nursing home in Bingley, West Yorkshire, when the photos were taken. those doing unpaid work regularly do general gardening duties at the home. Martin Davies, chief executive of the West Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company, said: ‘this behaviour is completely unacceptable.
‘We are conducting a thorough investigation and action will be taken to ensure there is no repetition.
‘All offenders are told that they are not allowed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at probation. In addition, they are also warned that mobile phones can only be used during their lunch break.’ He added those found to be breaking rules could potentially be re- sentenced at court.
the men refused to comment yesterday.
Snowden’s mother Valerie said: ‘I saw the picture when it was posted on facebook and thought they were being silly.
‘We don’t know if they were doing the Community Payback or had finished work for the day when they had a drink, but you have to ask where was the supervisor?’