Judge orders convict not to drink Pepsi while on probation

Hawaii: A Hawaii man has been ordered to abstain from drinking his favourite soft drink during four years of probation on a car theft conviction.

Montilliano had lied to police when he was arrested with a stolen car in Maui last June. He told officers that his cousin had allowed him to drive the car and that he was on his way to buy soft drinks.

Judge Rhonda Loo imposed the restriction last week while sentencing 21-year-old Christopher Montilliano Jr., The Maui News reported. The judge issued the order for him to not drink Pepsi for four years after he told her it was his favourite soft drink.

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. “It’s the Pepsi deprivation syndrome,” she said.

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