A WELL-KNOWN Southampton hot dog vendor has been hauled before the courts once again – just weeks after his last appearance.

Ian Kruger, better known as “Happy Hotdog Man”, was caught breaching an order by selling his products on Above Bar Street in February, just days before he was due in court for the same offence.

And while magistrates last time handed him a £230 fine, a punishment he described as “fair”, Mr Kruger wasn’t so happy on this occasion.

The 56-year-old was slapped with a total court bill of almost £1,000.

Speaking outside Southampton Magistrates’ Court, described his latest punishment as “harsh”.

He also said he expected his latest breach to be included in his last appearance, in February.

But Southampton City Council’s prosecutor, Kate Rickwood said the offence took place “too close” to the hearing.

Magistrates were told how Kruger was spotted selling his hotdogs on Above Bar Street, near to the entrance of Westquay, in February this year.

Ms Rickwood said Kruger and other street vendors are banned from peddling products in that area of Above Bar Street by a city by-law.

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 despite already being threatened with a prison sentence in the past for breaching the order, Kruger returned to his favoured selling spot on February 11.

The offence was just days before Mr Kruger was due in court for the same offence, on February 14.

Asked why the offence had not been included in the previous court date, Ms Rickwood said: “We would have served the offences in the same court hearing, but we weren’t able to because the offences took place too close to the hearing.

She added: “That’s why we are back here today.”

Magistrates ordered Kruger, who pleaded guilty to breaching the order, pay a £650 fine.

The father-of-four, of Waverley Green, was also ordered to pay £200 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £65.