SOUTHAMPTON’S “Happy Hot Dog Man” is among four people fined for unlawful selling in the city centre.

Ian Kruger, pictured, has been told to pay £640 for breaching a council order, while two men have also been fined for picking up taxi passengers without a licence to do so.

Jaspreet Singha and Bakhtor Singh Potiwal both pleaded guilty to plying for hire, or picking up passengers in the street without a booking, which only licensed hackney carriages can do.

Both men were fined £200 for plying for hire and an extra £325 for not having insurance, as well as being ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge and £225 in costs.

They both also had eight penalty points added to their driving licences.

Another driver accused of the same offences has had his case adjourned.

Four people have also been fined after pleading guilty to breaching a control of sales order put in place by the city council in Above Bar.

The order bans unauthorised trading in the street and “is necessary to ensure that pedestrian safety is not compromised and sufficient space is available in an emergency”.

Among the four fined was Ian Kruger, well known in the city centre as the “Happy Hot Dog Man” with his mobile hot dog unit.

He has been fined £400, with costs of £200 and a £40 victim surcharge for repeat offences.

Mourab Bounab was fined £200 with costs of £200 and a £20 victim surcharge for selling mobile phone accessories, while Emily Byrne, described as a repeat offender, was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £40 victim surcharge for selling jewellery.

Mobile phone accessories seller Simon Hopkins was handed a £500 fine, £200 costs and a £25 victim surcharge for two offences and being a repeat offender.

City council licensing manager Phil Bates said: “We’re pleased with the result, it sends a clear message that unlicensed operations won't be tolerated and can lead to prosecution.”

A council spokesman added: “These are the traders in the precinct, some of whom we suspect are there daily.”