A robber's attempt to snatch a mobile phone by throwing pepper in its owner's face proved less irritating than intended.
The plan hatched by Chan Kwok-hung, 29, failed because the victim's spectacles protected him and he was able to grab Chan before he could escape.
Chan, who is unemployed, yesterday admitted robbing Lee Chi-wai, 23, of his mobile phone at the Cyber City Amusement Games Centre in Mongkok.
Prosecutor Lily Yew told Judge Donald Christie that if the defendant had not used pepper he would have been charged with theft instead of robbery.
She said Chan went to the centre on March 7 and played a video game next to Mr Lee.
Suddenly, Chan threw pepper in his victim's face, snatched the mobile phone from the machine's glass top, then fled, the District Court heard.
