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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Aaliyah Rugg & Ethan Davies

University student, 19, lost 'control of legs' and ability to speak after spiking 'injection'

A Salford university says she lost 'control of her legs' and her ability to speak and see on a night out.

The 19-year-old woman, who wishes to stay anonymous, believes she was spiked with an injection.

Her friends had to call for an ambulance after she 'suddenly collapsed', the Liverpool Echo reports.

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Speaking to the ECHO, her worried mum said she was rushed to the Royal Hospital where she was "projectile vomiting".

She said: "She's not really a big drinker and she was halfway through her third drink when she suddenly just collapsed. She doesn't remember anything but her friends told me she fell to the floor.

"She lost the use of her legs and her speech was slurred and she couldn't see very well. They took her outside and called an ambulance, they didn't know what was wrong at that point.

"She was taken to the Royal where they observed her overnight."

The teenager was allowed home the following day on Saturday, but "still didn't have full use of her legs".

However, the family noticed a "small pinprick" on the back of her right arm, which "didn't sit well" with them and student was taken to Aintree Hospital for inspection.

The teen's mum said it was there her "fears came true" as doctors confirmed it appeared her daughter had been spiked through injection.

She added: "It just didn't sit well with me so they did some tests at the hospital and they said she had been spiked. She had to have a hepatitis injection.

"We just want to make people aware. She's had to take time off from university because she keeps having panic attacks.

"I'm absolutely gobsmacked and heart-broken how anyone could pick on a young girl. It's scary. In my head I can't stop going over the what-ifs, it's making me sick.

"She's very lucky she had her friends who didn't leave her side. What if she had collapsed in the toilet?

"More people need to be aware and look out for one another. Maybe more stop searches could be done to check what people are taking into clubs, but it's hard.

"We need to spread this awareness, it could happen to anyone."

The Liverpool mum is urging people to remain vigilant when out and about and to "look after each other", adding that the world is "a scary place".

Merseyside Police confirmed they received a report of a spiking incident that occurred at around 2.30am on March 4.

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police.

Adam Coffey, general manager at Electrik Warehouse, said: "We had a report of a young female who had been taken ill on Friday night/Saturday morning. Members of management took her to a safe space with her friends whilst the on-site medic could see to her.

"The medic looked after her for 30 minutes and monitored her condition at the end of which it was thought best to call her an ambulance for her as a precaution.

"Spiking has been at the forefront of peoples minds in recent months and like many venues Electrik has taken steps to try stop any possible attacks, including bag searches, IDing every customer on entry no matter their age, information posters around the venue and training staff to be aware of what to look for when there’s been a possible spiking plus and on-site medic to tend to patrons should a case be reported or any other medical issue arise."

Mr Coffey added that the venue would work "closely" with Merseyside Police if required to "provide any help that they need on this matter."

Detective Inspector Gavin Mulcahy said: "We understand that such incidents can cause alarm and I would like to reassure the community that we have a designated investigation team to respond to reports of spiking, ensuring that they are robustly investigated and those affected are provided with support.

"We work extensively with our partners across Merseyside including public health, local authorities, universities and licensed premises, ensuring that we have a joined-up public health approach to tackling the issue.

"Together we have a vested interest in ensuring that we keep people safe; empowering visitors to the city by helping them access safety advice and providing help and support to potential victims of this type of crime.

"Liverpool is awarded Purple Flag status every year and is one of the safest cities in the UK. We know that people travel far from far and wide to enjoy what is on offer here and we want that to continue."

The detective inspector added that proactive measures include additional officers in key locations who are tasked with identifying potential perpetrators who are displaying signs of predatory behaviour such as loitering without good reason, or giving or approaching females with unwanted attention.

Bystander training has also been given to licensed premises and other partners to help members of staff identify individuals.

He said: "Every weekend we continue to have a robust and proactive policing plan in place to protect vulnerable people, identify potential offenders and support victims as well as providing a visible and reassuring presence in the city centre and the town centres across Merseyside which have a night-time economy.

"I would urge anyone who has been a victim of spiking in Merseyside to come forward to us so we can provide support and investigate thoroughly. I think it is vital to stress how important it is to contact the police immediately if you think you have been a victim of spiking so the appropriate tests and enquiries can be carried out."

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