SOUTHAMPTON’S Happy Hotdog Man has been slapped with yet another fine after appearing in court for the ninth time.

Ian Kruger told the court he was “making a stand” against a city by-law banning unauthorised trading in the city centre, but has avoided a prison sentence despite being threatened with one in the past.

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

But the 53-year-old hotdog vendor has defied this law nine times and was fined again at West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court after he was spotted by council staff trading in July this year.

Kruger, who defended himself, said: “I have been working in Southampton for approximately 12 years as the Happy Hotdog Man and I have built a reputation with the people of Southampton, it is more than just work to me.

“I am able to do quite a lot of good especially with people who are deprived and destitute.

“Approximately over a year ago traders came from London and they did cause obstructions, but at the moment only myself and one other person who are trading there so there is no obstruction.”

Kruger, of Waveney Green, Millbrook, added: “This is my sole income and I don’t get any benefits, I have tried to find other employment but at my age and the qualifications that I have there’s not anything suitable for me to do.

“I love doing this job and the public support I have had and the people who support me for making a stand because my licence was removed for the order but nothing else was ever offered to me.”

Kruger had previously been threatened with a prison sentence if he continued to flout the law.

Speaking in April this year at a hearing for the same offence Ben Atrill, prosecuting, said: “He is clearly not taking it seriously, it may be the council will be forced to take the route of a civil injunction and if he is in breach of that, that can result in a custodial sentence.”

However, magistrates did not send Kruger to prison after he pleaded guilty at this separate hearing.

The chief magistrate said: “While personally we may have sympathy, the law is very clear and Southampton City Council cannot make one exception for a trader.

“You have eight offences already, this is your ninth, it is going to continue unless you stop trading where Southampton City Council say you cannot trade.

“While all the moral arguments may stand, this is a legal matter you cannot fight against.”

Kruger was fined a total of £330 and decline to comment when asked outside of court if he intended to continue trading.