Woman who spiked another woman's drink with poppers as a 'joke' avoids jail

Paige Myers thought the victim’s beverage belonged to her friend (Picture: North News and Pictures)

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.