A 272kg US man is too fat and sick to face court on food theft and restaurant scam charges, the Palm Beach Post reports.

George Jolicouer’s lawyer faced a Texas court and pleaded no contest to five charges of petty theft.

Mr Jolicouer, who is bed-ridden in a nursing home, is accused of walking into restaurants and food stores on five occasions, claiming he had been sold second-rate food.

The accused then demanded large refunds.

Mr Jolicoeur was finally arrested after marching into a 7-Eleven store claiming his beef jerky, purchased for $50, was moldy.

He reportedly stated to his arresting officer: “the beef jerky got me.”

This is not the first time the accused has been involved in scams, in 2005 he claimed he had found six hairs in a milkshake.

Since the arrest, Mr Jolicouer’s health has deteriorated, with the court told he is unlikely to improve.

His condition has not been specified but his attorney told the judge his client required a respirator to breathe and was too ill to attend the court hearing.