A father of three from Western Australia has received a 16-month prison sentence following a prank that disastrously backfired at Bunnings in Northam.

Paul Andrew Hart, aged 52, appeared in the District Court on July 22, after he unleashed a chilli-based spray known as “Satan’s Spit” inside the hardware store on Anzac Day last year.

Security cameras captured Hart entering the store, walking past a mother and her young daughter before discharging the spray. The impact on nearby shoppers was immediate, causing coughing, burning eyes, and some reportedly struggling to breathe. Hart proceeded through the aisles, spraying again, before exiting the store while covering his face. The prank led to a complete evacuation of the store, leaving some customers and children visibly upset.

Eleven individuals required hospital treatment after exposure to the chilli spray, where they were instructed to undress for a decontamination shower outside.

One individual testified in court, “We were naked and terrified, I felt freezing cold and humiliated,” according to 9 News.

Another person recounted the panic, stating, “My lungs tightened, and I was gasping for air.”

The store experienced a $16,000 loss in profits after being forced to close for the remainder of the public holiday.

Hart explained to the court that his intention was to execute a fart prank with a novelty spray, but mistakenly grabbed Satan’s Spit. He admitted to consuming Wild Turkey, cider, and champagne earlier that day following a difficult night, as reported by The West Australian.

Nonetheless, District Court judge Felicity Zempilas was not persuaded.

“You looked at the spray twice, and it would have been immediately obvious,” Judge Zempilas remarked.

“You intentionally brought a harmful and hazardous product to a public setting.”

The court was also informed that this incident was not Hart’s only legal issue. While awaiting sentencing for the Bunnings episode, he received jail time for making false allegations against an ex-partner, a custody officer, and a prosecutor, and he currently has unresolved arrest warrants in Queensland and South Australia.

Hart will become eligible for parole later this year.

Lead image: 9 News / Bunnings