A pubgoer has been apprehended after staff at a Wetherspoons establishment in Derby observed him brazenly spiking two women's drinks on CCTV footage. Steven Millward, aged 38, was captured tipping a white powder into the unsuspecting women's glasses while they briefly visited the toilet at The Standing Order Wetherspoons in Derby.
Discovery and Immediate Action
Upon returning to their table, one of the women noticed mysterious white lumps floating in her beverage and promptly reported the incident to the bar. Alert staff members reviewed the CCTV system and identified Millward carrying out the shocking act, which occurred in February of last year.
Bar personnel swiftly contacted the police, who arrived within minutes and arrested Millward inside the pub premises. This rapid response was crucial in preventing any potential escalation of the situation.
Bizarre Explanation and Legal Proceedings
During police questioning, Millward provided a peculiar explanation, claiming he believed the women had departed and that he had poured what he thought was cocaine into the drinks with the intention of consuming it himself. Subsequent laboratory tests revealed that the substance did not contain any controlled drugs.
Millward, a resident of Chellaston in Derby, pleaded guilty to the charge of attempting to unlawfully or maliciously administer a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy. At Derby Crown Court, he received a seven-month prison sentence, which was suspended for a period of fifteen months.
Praise for Staff and Public Safety
Detective Constable James Tomlinson of Derbyshire Constabulary commended the bar staff for their vigilant actions. He stated, 'This incident could have had some very serious consequences for these two women. Thankfully, they noticed quickly that there was something wrong with their drinks.'
He further emphasized, 'After taking them back to the bar, staff very quickly leapt into action to find out what had happened, safeguarding these two women as well as other customers in the premises. Their diligence prevented these women from coming to any harm.'
The detective highlighted that the speed with which the staff identified the offence and suspect enabled officers to attend immediately and arrest Millward. He described this as an excellent example of licensed premises proactively looking out for their customers' safety and well-being.
This case underscores the importance of CCTV surveillance and staff awareness in public venues, serving as a reminder of the ongoing concerns regarding drink spiking incidents in social settings across the UK.
