By Elena Chong

A BUSINESSMAN charged with the pepper spray attack at Golden Landmark was further accused on Monday of causing hurt to 19 victims.

Seow Min Fu, 40, has earlier been accused of spraying the contents of a pepper spray can onto the eyes of Mr Goh Chin Hock, 45, at a stairway of the Victoria Street shopping centre on March 24.

He allegedly did this with a 51-year-old accomplice who is at large.

The fresh charge accuses him of hurting the 19 victims, aged two to 56, by doing an act so rashly as to endanger the safety of others.

Mr Goh was among 18 victims taken to hospital with breathing difficulties, skin irritation and nausea.

About 100 tenants and shoppers were also evacuated from the building, in what is believed to be the first large-scale pepper spray attack in Singapore

Pepper spray is illegal here.

But the substance is widely available in countries such as the United States, where it is used to ward off attackers and is sold in canisters.

It is also used by the police there to control crowds.

Seow will next appear in court on July 29 for another pre-trial hearing.