Phil & Cynthia self-defence problem exercise

Phil is on trial in NSW, accused of committing a serious criminal offence. Every day for two weeks now he has been in court all day for his trial.

The solicitor responsible for prosecuting Phil on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is Cynthia. Cynthia has been going about her work efficiently and responsibly but Phil finds her extremely irritating. He feels that she is exaggerating facts against him and that she is biased against him.

The following day when the court adjourns for lunch, Phil follows Cynthia out of the court building and towards her office. When he's comfortable that no-one else is watching, Phil calls out "Hey, DPP dickhead!" Cynthia stops walking and turns to face him. Phil pulls a flick knife out of his pocket and says,

"You've been stitching me up. The next time you talk bullshit about me in there you'll be sorry, you'll be needing a long time off work."

Then he puts the knife back in his pocket, turns and starts to walk away.

Unknown to Phil, Cynthia was previously a police officer before she was admitted to practice as a solicitor. She is equipped with a can of pepper spray that she took home from work on her last day as a police officer. Cynthia takes the spray out of her bag, calls out "Hey scumbag!" to get Phil to turn back towards her, and then sprays him in the face. Phil drops to the ground, grabbing his face and yelling in pain. When he opens his eyes again Cynthia is gone. His eyes remain red and sore for about one hour.