‘Satan's Spit': Man's fate after fart prank
The Northam store, in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region, was evacuated on Anzac Day last year amid fears of a dangerous chemical spill.
Two children were among the 15 people affected, with 11 taken to hospital for treatment.
They suffered burning sensations in their eyes and nose, sore throats and coughing. Paul Andrew Hart sprayed a chilli substance called 'Satan's Spit' at a Bunnings store. Credit: Supplied
CCTV footage shows father of three Paul Andrew Hart enter the store wearing a black T-shirt, shorts and thongs.
Shortly after, staff and customers are seen coughing, and covering their mouths and noses as they head for the exit.
Hart, 52, claimed he intended to spray 'Liquid Ass' as a joke, but instead used 'Satan's Spit', which was also in his pocket.
But WA District Court Judge Felicity Zempilas said the footage showed him look down at the pepper spray twice, including just before he used it.
'Even if you had taken a bottle of Satan's Spit and a bottle of fart spray, it would have been immediately clear to you which one you had in your hand on either of those occasions when you looked at it, because those bottles appear totally different,' she said.
The incident cost Bunnings an estimated $16,000 in lost earnings and $3048 in workers' compensation. Customers and staff suffered injuries. Credit: Supplied
'You knew what kind of substance you'd released and you were waiting to observe its impacts,' Judge Zempilas said.
'I find that you intended, for whatever reason, to annoy others in the store that day, with this noxious substance.'
The online product description of Satan's Spit says it is one of their 'hottest and most dangerous products'.
'Spray with caution, as it can travel through the air and get in eyes. Use in small doses,' the description reads.
Hart was arrested the next day and told police he had bought the product six weeks earlier but had not used it or read the label.
He said he had woken up that day from distressing dreams, and began drinking alcohol in the morning before going to the shops. It cost Bunnings an estimated $16,000 in lost earnings. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia
One victim said she suffered an asthma attack and was embarrassed at having to go through the decontamination shower process at the hospital.
Another person described the ordeal as 'traumatic'.
A teenage victim said of the incident: 'It stole my peace.'
'She's still grappling with the fear and the humiliation and the trauma,' Judge Zempilas said.
Hart pleaded guilty to wilfully and unlawfully, with intent to injure or annoy, cause poison or other noxious thing to be administered to or taken by another.
Judge Zempilas sentenced Hart to 16 months in prison. He must serve eight months behind bars before he can be eligible for parole.
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