Man handed avocado-themed punishment

A US man has been banned from owning more than 10 avocados at a time.

A judge has ruled that Barron Stein cannot have over 10 of the green fruits in his possession after he admitted to stealing an estimated 600lb to 1,000lb of the foodstuff from an avocado grove in March.

As part of the terms of his three-year probation, the 44-year-old man is also restricted from stepping foot on any avocado groves.

Stein - who has been unemployed for a year-and-a-half - said he took the fruit, which had an estimated value of $1,500, out of desperation to support his family.