One of the strangest incidents we've been following for months has finally ended with a sentence in a
West Bend, Wisconsin courtroom. You may remember the story of Ryan Kropp, a cook at a local steakhouse in that city.
He was convicted of getting into a dispute with a customer last February about an overcooked meal and deliberately
putting his own hair inside some of the meat to get even. It's every diner's nightmare about what really goes on in a hidden kitchen and started after management apologized for the difference of opinion.
They convinced the upset patron to take home a free steak to make up for it and the man found the hair (which Ryan told a colleague were his 'pubes' but weren't actually from that part of his anatomy) when he went to look at the meat the next day.
Kropp was fired, charged and
pleaded guilty to food tampering in June. The 24-year-old may now be wondering what's in his own food. He'll be dining on the menu at a local jail for the next six months and receive three years probation after he gets out.
The formerly recalcitrant chef has changed his ways. He told the court he's ashamed, embarrassed and remorseful for his actions that day.
"I am truly sorry for Kevin Hansen (the victim) and his family. I never meant to harm them in any way," he told the judge. "I thought of my actions as a prank."
But Hansen isn't quite so willing to forgive and forget, claiming he wanted Kropp to get more jail time.
"I don't think it was harsh enough. He should've got more," Hansen makes clear. "I get a feeling he's gonna do it again."
He claims the stunt has robbed him of one of his favourite pastimes. "That was always the thing we did with family was go out to eat dinner, that was our entertainment to do and now we don't do that no more."
Does he accept Kropp's apology? "Not really," he answers simply.
In the meantime, Kropp will be allowed work release during his punishment - but it's not likely he'll be getting a job at any area restaurants anytime soon.