SPIKING should urgently become a specific criminal offence in Jersey, a Constable has said after a young Islander was the victim of a suspected attack that left him hospitalised.
St Martin Constable Karen Shenton-Stone, who has previously spoken out about the issue, condemned the reported attack, which involved laced “chewing gum”, as “deplorable” and said she would once again raise spiking at the next sitting of the States Assembly.
Meanwhile, the victim has encouraged other young Islanders and staff in bars and clubs to “open their eyes” to the fact that “this is happening” in Jersey.
Writing anonymously on social media on Saturday afternoon, the man said that his Friday night out had gone south when he was offered what was supposedly chewing gum that then caused him to be “violently sick” and light-headed.
Emergency staff attended the scene outside an unnamed club and the Islander said he was taken to hospital and placed on oxygen for the night.
Spiking – the action of putting a drug into someone’s drink, or into their body through another method, without their consent – is currently considered under the offence of to “administer drugs to obtain intercourse” in Jersey.
This was also the case in the UK until Labour unveiled in the King’s Speech earlier this summer their plans to introduce a new law to make spiking a standalone criminal offence.
Senior politicians in the UK have said this step could encourage victims to report the offence – and empower police to investigate and prosecute it.
The States police confirmed to the JEP yesterday morning that they were investigating the local incident after it was reported at the weekend.
It was the first report of this “chewing gum” method of spiking, the force also confirmed.
Mrs Shenton-Stone said that it was time for Jersey legislation to be modernised.
She said concerns about spiking were the catalyst that led her to securing £200,000 of funding for the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce, which uncovered the extent of gender-based violence in the Island.
She said: “Obviously it is a big problem over here, but it hasn’t been addressed like it has in the UK where it is now a specific criminal offence. It should be considered a criminal offence here to spike someone’s food or drink. It is urgent that this happens.
“The act is deplorable and despicable, and as this incident shows, it can happen to anyone. I am really shocked to see this.”
Mrs Shenton-Stone said she would be raising the matter in the States Assembly, having first done so in 2021.
“It is extremely frightening and traumatic for the victim and does stay with them for many years afterwards, and that includes if you are a parent that receives a call in the middle of the night about this happening to your child,” Mrs Shenton-Stone added.
The government was contacted for comment.
The victim, who will remain anonymous, said he was out drinking with friends but became separated from them and was approached by a man who asked him if he wanted chewing gum.
“It didn’t look dodgy and was in a chewing gum box,” he wrote.
The victim added that he was not suspicious because “when you’ve had a few drinks you don’t think that far ahead” and “also I’m a guy, and you don’t usually think a guy would be drugged”.
“It tasted like chewing gum at first and then all of a sudden there was this absolutely intense bitterness”, which he said was a “telltale sign” that it was a drug similar to those which can be used to sedate and rob or assault someone.
He “spat it out” and “felt an immediate need to vomit”, became “violently sick” and “started to feel light-headed like I was going to pass out”.
The victim said it was unlikely that the sudden deterioration of his health was caused by alcohol because he had only been drinking for about an hour.
He added: “I want people to open their eyes to know that this can happen to a guy/girl, and for establishments to be aware this is happening. It is scary, especially for vulnerable young people or any women. And men are now being targeted.
“Looking back I think it was a failed robbery attempt, but it could have been more sinister.”
He thanked a group of young women who helped him when he was in distress.
Since the incident, the States police have reissued advice not to accept drinks, and in this case food, from strangers: “If you are out with friends, stick together and be aware of your surroundings and make sure you have planned your journey home.
“If you do suspect you may have been given a substance and start to feel strange or ill, then seek help from a friend or a member of staff where you are, and go to hospital.
“Report the incident to the police, and remember if it is an emergency, then always call 999.”
