Judge suggests Hawaii man avoid favourite soda on probation

WAILUKU, Hawaii — A Hawaii judge suggested a man not drink his favourite soda during four years of probation on a car theft conviction.

Judge Rhonda Loo suggested in a Maui court last week that 21-year-old Christopher Montilliano Jr. refrain from drinking Pepsi while on probation because he lied to police during his arrest, The Maui News reported Saturday.

Montilliano told officers that his cousin had allowed him to drive the stolen car and that he was on his way to buy soft drinks.

The judge suggested Montilliano not drink Pepsi for four years after he told her it was his favourite soft drink.

“You didn’t want to admit that you actually stole the vehicle,” Loo told Montilliano. “Is it because the soda made you do it?”

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Montilliano spent seven days in jail following his arrest. During that time, he learned the importance of complying with the law, defence attorney Josh James said in court.

“I’m not going to steal cars anymore,” Montilliano told the judge. “I don’t want to be in jail no more.”

Loo also sentenced Montilliano to 100 hours of community service and a $100 fine.

He had pleaded no contest to charges of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and driving without a license.

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This story has been corrected to show that the judge suggested the man not drink Pepsi, but did not order it as part of his probation.

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Information from: The Maui News, http://www.mauinews.com

The Associated Press