A Melbourne uni student who nicked some cold chips from a counter meal in a city hotel has faced court.

The 23-year old-claimed the counter meal has been sitting on the bench for ages before he took a handful of chips.

When he left the Great Western Hotel at King Street on Australia day, the police were hot on his tail.

He was charged with theft and has now been placed in a court diversion program.

Victorian president of the Australian Hotels Association Peter Burnett spoke with Neil Mitchell.

‘I think the police have better things to do in this world,’ he said on 3AW Mornings.

Neil says this is a ridiculous overreaction.

‘It’s a stupid student prank… Wasting police time, wasting court time.’ 

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