Man faces 11 years in jail for 'punching elderly man' over free Nutella samples

Derrick Gharabighi has pleaded not guilty to assault charges

Some people will do anything for Nutella.

Police in California have alleged that the urge for the chocolate spread got the better of Derrick Gharabighi, whom they have accused of punching a 78-year-old man in a dispute over free Nutella waffle samples.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office says he was hoarding samples of the waffles at the Burbank Costco on Sunday morning when 78-year-old Sahak Sahakian told him to take just one.

Derrick Gharabighi

Prosecutors say Mr Gharabighi then punched the older man in the face. Police said Mr Sahakian was hospitalised with a one-inch cut.

Mr Gharabighi has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held on $50,000 bail, and he faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in prison if convicted, CBS reported.