[bbfan1991]

An American student is to be tried for allegedly stealing a pumpkin worth $2 (£1.20).

Lauren Medina from New Mexico will face a jury on Tuesday (February 21) accused of taking from a patch in the city of Moriarty.

She was allegedly given the opportunity to plead guilty and be put on probation, but refused.

Her sister Annette Atencio has claimed that Medina spent $75 (£47) on food on the day in question, but simply forgot to pay for the squash.

"I'm in disbelief - the more I talk about it, the angrier I get," she told KOAT. "[Medina] is a college student, and she's never been in trouble and never been arrested."

She also said that Medina was put in handcuffs despite offering to pay for the pumpkin.