SINGAPORE - Feeling bored while travelling on a bus to work, a landscape technician decided to play a prank on his fellow passengers.

On four separate occasions in July and August, Lim Lye Seng, 60, stuck toothpicks - with the sharp ends pointing upwards - in the seats of SBS Transit bus service 123M as it was travelling along Lower Delta Road.

According to court documents, on each occasion, he would stick three toothpicks in a seat.

Lim pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday (Oct 11) to two counts of mischief.

Another two charges of mischief will be taken into consideration during sentencing.

On Aug 4, Lim had his breakfast at a fishball noodle stall at a coffee shop near Tiong Bahru MRT station and took three toothpicks from the eatery.

After boarding bus service 123M, at around 6.20am, he used the toothpicks to perforate the seat next to where he was sitting, causing $325.91 in damage.

Lim later alighted the bus without removing the toothpicks.

The bus driver completed the trip at around 6.40am and parked the bus at Harbourfront bus interchange.

He spotted the toothpicks while conducting a check and informed an SBS Transit operations officer who alerted the police.

During the investigations, Lim admitted that he had committed the offence on three separate occasions in July.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Rimplejit Kaur told District Judge Lim Keng Yeow that Lim has made no restitution.

She added: "He further admitted that he was aware that his actions could have caused hurt to passengers on board SBS bus 123M."

Lim, who was unrepresented, pleaded for leniency. He told Judge Lim that he has two children and elderly parents to support.

The case has been adjourned to Nov 6.

For each count of mischief, Lim could have been jailed for up to a year and fined.