US store takes man to court for 'stealing' 99c hot dog

An American man was acquitted of stealing a 99 cent hot dog.

John Richardson picked up the snack and ate it while shopping in a grocery store in Washington and forgot to pay for it when he got to the checkout.

Managers at the shop confronted him and called the police.

It took a bemused jury five minutes to reach their 'not guilty' verdict when the case went to trial.

Despite jurors saying it was obvious John forgot to pay, prosecutor Julie McKay tried hard to convince them otherwise by pointing out he refused a $200 (€135) civil penalty to drop the case.