A robber left a shop worker's eyesight badly affected after spraying ammonia in his face.
Colin McKay attacked Ameer Sikander, having initially gone into the USave store in Glasgow's Springburn, claiming he wanted to buy an iPhone charger.
The then 24-year-old victim has been left with severely restricted vision in one eye following the terrifying incident last August 16.
McKay helped get himself caught after also ending up in hospital, with a chemical injury from the splashes of ammonia.
The thug - who was on two bail orders at the time - today pleaded to charges of aggravated assault and robbery during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
The serial criminal is due to be sentenced in June.
A bare-chested McKay had earlier briefly been in the shop that Saturday evening before returning with a top on and his hood up.
CCTV of the incident was played in court today.
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McKay asked at the counter about an iPhone charger. He was handed one, then gave it back when told the cost.
The robber asked what he could purchase for 50p before returning with a packet of crisps.
Prosecutor Tracey Brown then explained: "When the shop worker opened the till, McKay pulled out a bottle of household ammonia from a pocket of his shorts and was seen to spray the man with the contents.
"While spraying liquid in his face, McKay reached forward and attempted to take cash from the till drawer."
An injured Mr Sikander managed to shove the thug away. He fled, clutching a small amount of money, the phone charger and some food items.
Another customer who was in the shop went to help the victim and also dialled 999.
McKay was later identified as a suspect and police went to his flat in Springburn.
He was not there, but officers found a bottle of "Knockout" household ammonia.
It emerged McKay was instead in the city's Royal Infirmary with a rash consistent with having a reaction to a chemical substance.
The court heard Mr Sikander needed urgent treatment for both his eyes following the attack.
He has been left with a third of his usual vision on the left side, and it is unknown if full sight will return.
McKay already had previous convictions for violence, disorder, breach of bail and weapons.
Lord Young continued his remand in custody as sentencing was adjourned until June 3 in Edinburgh.
McKay smiled and joked with another man in the public benches as he was taken back to the cells.
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