A ROADSHOW coming to Colchester aims to show people what community punishment is all about.

The Essex Probation Service will speak to the public about what it does and use a case study about a man called Lee to explain the unpaid work he has to do, witness the effect on the victim and hear what happens to serious offenders.

The work will be explained in five one-hour sessions.

The sessions will take place at the Probation Service’s headquarters, in Ryegate House, St Peter’s Street, Colchester, on Saturday, May 16.

Sessions start at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

Lynne McKay, from Essex Probation, said: “It’s an interactive experience which has toured the county.

“Sometimes people think probation is the soft option, but this shows them exactly what we do and how we do it.

“They meet Lee and hear his story, but they also see things from the victim’s side.

“There is the opportunity to sit in on a meeting which is similar to meetings we have to discuss dealing with the most serious offenders.”

She added: “We’ve had a lot of feedback and people have been really positive, saying they had no idea that was what we did.

“I would urge people to come along and see for themselves.”

For more information, call 01206 768342.