A Mosman teenager has been charged after allegedly deploying capsicum spray inside a packed local hotel.
By ANNA USHER
Pub patrons enjoying a night at Hotel Mosman were left coughing and gasping for air after a sick prank by a local teenager left two women and several staff members with breathing difficulties.
An 18-year-old has been charged with three offences after allegedly deploying Capsicum Spray on the ground floor of The Duck last Friday around 6pm, which was packed with families, children, and elderly residents.
Hotel Mosman Licensee Peter Croker said the alleged incident happened with 170 patrons inside the premises.
Hotel Mosman General Manager Peter Croker said there were approximately 170 patrons and 11 staff on the premises at the time of the alleged incident, which happened in the gaming room of the popular watering hole.
“We had a room full of Mums and Dads, little kids and quite a few elderly customers sitting down for an early dinner on the last weekend of school holidays,” Mr Croker said.
“Then several patrons alerted us to something in the air, which was causing them to cough, and within seconds some of our staff were also suffering burning sensations in their throats,” Mr Croker said, “it was very worrying.”
Known as “The Duck”, Hotel Mosman is a favourite local watering hole often patronised by families and the elderly.
Mr Croker said two women had to be taken outside and given water as he looked for the source of the air borne irritant.
“We didn’t have the air conditioning on, and it wasn’t a gas leak,” he said.
“The police were called after we reviewed our CCTV.”
Police arrested and charged an 18-year-old Mosman resident shortly after the alleged pepper spray attack.
North Shore Police Area Command officers attended the hotel and soon after arrested a teenage resident at Mosman Police Station.
“Police will allege that the 18-year-old attended the licensed premises and while at the location produced a can of oleoresin capsicum spray from his pocket,” a spokesperson said.
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“While in the TAB section of the premises, police will allege that the male discharged the capsicum spray twice into the air.
“This caused staff and patrons to suffer coughing fits and burning sensations in their throats.”
Police say the teenager will appear at Manly Court on October 26.
He has been charged with 2 x “Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit” and “Common Assault”.
The teenager was given conditional bail and will face Manly Local Court on October 26.
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