Spiked

Two students victims of drink-spiking at Oxford clubs as police accused of inaction

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Two female students fell victim to drink spiking at Oxford clubs, with one left hospitalised by date rape drugs.

Blood tests showed one female student had been poisoned with Rufilin, another brand name for date rape drug rohypnol, after a Freshers’ Week night at the Junction.

She told The Tab: “I had maybe two drinks because I was meant to be looking after the freshers. I hung out with some people who I didn’t know – you know, friends of friends.

“I was bought two drinks and woke up in hospital next day and remember an hour of night. It turned out I was there three-and-a-half or four hours before passing out but as I was with friends it was OK.

“I was very lucky to have passed out and that it had had that effect on me.

“It’s very scary that it’s happening generally but scarier that it happened at an Oxford night- where you need your bod card to get in.”

‘Police didn’t care’

Meanwhile a University College student lost eight hours of memory after receiving a drink  from a stranger. The Tab has agreed to keep both students anonymous.

She said:  “We went on a crew date at which I had about two thirds of a bottle of wine, and then to Camera where I had a drink bought for me.

“I then remember nothing from 11pm for the next 8 hours. Friends had no idea where I was. I was violently ill the next day.”

And she hit out at police who didn’t bother running any tests.

She said: “I went to the police station to report it, but when they established I wasn’t making a rape allegation they didn’t seem to care very much.”

“They didn’t run any tests, just made a report and sent a warning to Camera and a licensing company.

“I was very shaken by the whole experience, but also aware that it could have been so much worse. I was shocked by how lightly it was taken by the police given that it is still a criminal offence.”

Thames Valley police said they could not comment unless an official complaint was made.

The incidents, which both happened on student nights, raise fears of a pattern of behaviour across Oxford night life.

Peter Mortimore, general manager of the Junction admitted there was only so much Oxford venues could do to stop drink spiking.

He said: “I’ve been operating in Oxford for two years, running Wahoo and the Junction, and this is the first incident of this type I have heard of.

“Our best tactic against it is communication – all we can do is make people aware. On top of that, we recommend all people finish drinks before they leave for the smoking area and do not let people they don’t know buy drinks for them. Otherwise, there’s not a great deal we can do.

“We have clear signage posted stating that unattended drinks will be collected by the floor staff, responsible service of alcohol is practiced to a high standard by the staff ensuring that sales are made sensibly and persons found to be ‘minesweeping’ are asked to leave the premises.”

If you are aware of incidents of drink spiking, contact The Tab on [email protected]. We always protect witnesses’ anonymity.