A dope smoker caught by police avoided court by helping to move 500 pallets for the East Grinstead Bonfire last month.
When police stopped the drug user and found cannabis on them, they were referred to Sussex Police’s immediate justice scheme instead of being formally prosecuted.
But after getting stuck in, they said they felt proud of their work and that they would return for the bonfire to see their hard work literally go up in flames.
The individual is one of more than 300 people who have been referred to the pilot scheme in Sussex since it started earlier this year.
Low level offenders, usually of anti-social behaviour, are asked to make “visible and meaningful amends” to the community, with victims given a say in how it’s done.
East Grinstead Bonfire Chairman, Terry Deadman said: “The main aims of East Grinstead Community Bonfire as a group of volunteers is to supply a free annual event to the community of East Grinstead, fundraise to support at least two different small local charities in our area and try to bring additional business to our local traders.
“When we were contacted by Immediate Justice, we read that their aims are to offer unpaid work in the community as a form of reparation and as this could be by helping local community groups, we felt it was a great opportunity for us to offer our assistance.
“The person we had to help us move the 500 pallets, which were used to build our bonfire, along with his supervisor, really got involved, he was a great help to us on the day.
“He should feel really proud of what he helped us to achieve, in the short time we had available, in appalling weather.
“He was a willing worker and our event was a great success, which was enjoyed by a huge number of people from the community of East Grinstead.”
Other offenders include someone given a conditional caution for a public order offence, requiring them to spend 12 hours clearing up the Forum car park in Horsham, and another six hours sweeping up leaves from the grounds of the nearby youth centre.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “When I first heard about Immediate Justice, I implored the previous Government to make Sussex one of the Trailblazer areas.
“I am proud to say that our model is proving highly successful.
“Anti-social behaviour is a crime it should never be taken lightly or seen as low level. It can have long-lasting, negative effects on its victims and our well-loved neighbourhood spaces.
“Ensuring that offenders of ASB make amends visibly, not only deters them from committing the same crime again, but gives victims assurance that they will be listened to and taken seriously.”
