30 May 2025 , 06:33
1041
0
A woman who spiked a complete stranger’s drink as a prank has narrowly avoided jail.
Paige Myers, 21, poured poppers into a drink at a pub in Prudhoe, Northumberland, last April, while the victim was in the toilet.
When she returned, she realised something was wrong with her drink.
Prosecutor Rachel Butt said: ‘She smelled it and described it as having a strong smell, causing her to feel dizzy, spaced out and head pounding. She began to panic.’
She spoke to the pub landlady who used CCTV to identify Myers, who was on a night out with friends.
The drink was tested and found to contain poppers which can cause a euphoric high along with dizziness and headaches.
The victim tracked her down on social media and, after a brief exchange, Myers offered to pay £500 to charity to avoid further action.
However, the money was returned and she was arrested.
Paige Myers has received a suspended sentence (Picture: North News and Pictures)
She later admitted under caution that it was meant as a joke, claiming she thought the drink belonged to a friend.
Miss Butt said: ‘She believed the drink belonged to a friend and didn’t realise the effects could be so serious.’
Although Myers admitted adding the substance, she denied administering poison and was found guilty after a trial.
Handing her a six-month sentence suspended for 18 months, Recorder Peter Makepeace said: ‘It was a very, very seriously reckless act. I have no doubt you didn’t intend to cause serious injury or perhaps any injury but it was a reckless thing to do.
‘It was no less dangerous than throwing a bottle up in the air and taking chances as to where it might land.’
He added that a suspended sentence would offer Myers a ‘positive and constructive’ way forward.
Deputy Editor