A father of three has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for spraying a toxic chilli concoction inside a Bunnings store in Western Australia.
Paul Andrew Hart, 52, claimed he was trying to pull off a fart prank when he released the substance, known as “Satan’s Spit”, on a busy ANZAC Day.
However, his actions had devastating consequences, with 11 people, including a mother and her daughter, affected by the spray.
Innocent Shoppers Caught Off Guard
Hart walked past the mother and daughter, sprayed the substance, and moments later, they were seen coughing.
As he roamed the aisles, innocent shoppers were impacted, with customers forced to cover their eyes and struggle to breathe.
The store was eventually evacuated, with victims rushed to hospital, forced to strip and decontaminate in outdoor showers.
Victims Describe the Horror
One victim described the ordeal, saying, “We were naked and afraid, I was freezing cold and embarrassed.”
Another victim said, “My lungs tightened, I was gasping for air,” and one customer even thought they were “going to die.”
The incident forced the Bunnings store to close for the day, resulting in a loss of $16,000 in profit.
The Court’s Verdict
The court heard that Hart had woken up from distressing dreams and spent the morning drinking alcohol.
He claimed he intended to release “fart spray” to “lighten the mood” but grabbed the wrong can from his pocket.
Hart will be eligible for parole later this year.