Liverpool student ‘traumatised’ after becoming victim of needle spiking in nightclub

The 18-year-old student from the University of Liverpool was injected in the leg during a night out over the weekend.
Georgia Hills was spiked on a night out. Image: Lancashire PostGeorgia Hills was spiked on a night out. Image: Lancashire Post
Georgia Hills was spiked on a night out. Image: Lancashire Post

Georgia Hills, 18, says she “suddenly blacked out” whilst partying with friends in Switch nightclub in Preston on Saturday.

She was taken to the emergency department at Royal Preston Hospital where a puncture wound was found in her leg, surrounded by bruising.

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Medics confirmed it was the result of a needle that has been jabbed into her muscle. Georgia is now waiting for blood test results to discover what type of drug was injected into her body.

Speaking to the Lancashire Post, Ms Hills said medics at the hospital were aware of two other women who had reportedly been spiked by injection at Switch nightclub that same night.

Lancashire Police said it is aware of the incident and an investigation is under way.

What is spiking by injection or ‘needle spiking’?

Spiking by injection describes the act of one person spiking another, but instead of placing a pill in a drink, it is done through the use of a needle.

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Spiking by injection carries extra risks as unclean or shared needles pose threats of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Spiking by injection symptoms are similar to that of being spiked via a pill in a drink.

A petition, titled “Make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry”, has collected over 162,000 signatures on the Parliament Petition website.

The petition states: “I would like the UK Government to make it law that nightclubs must search guests on arrival to prevent harmful weapons and other items entering the establishment.

There have been a number of recent reports around the UK from women who believe they were spiked by injection (Photo: Rob Pinney/Getty Images)There have been a number of recent reports around the UK from women who believe they were spiked by injection (Photo: Rob Pinney/Getty Images)
There have been a number of recent reports around the UK from women who believe they were spiked by injection (Photo: Rob Pinney/Getty Images)
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“This could be a pat down search or metal detector, but must involve measures being put in place to ensure the safety of the public.

“There are too many cases of weapons and ‘date rape’ drugs being used in clubs. It begs the question, why aren’t nightclubs required to do more to prevent harmful items making it into their clubs?”

Since the petition has more than 10,000 signatures, the Government is required to respond to it - and since it has over 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

Campaigners across the country have vowed to stay away from bars and nightclubs this week in response to increasing reports of drink spiking and spiking with needles.

What happened to Ms Hills in nightclub

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The student was enjoying a night out with friends in Preston after returning to her hometown for the half-term break.

Ms Hills and her friends visited the Switch ‘superclub’ where she had a couple of drinks, but "nowhere near enough to get drunk".

Her night then took a sinister turn when she began feeling “strange”, “dizzy” and “out of it”.

"My friends were really shocked, but they thought I was just really drunk at that point," she said.

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"I hadn’t drunk much at all, nowhere near enough to get me anywhere near that state. And the fact that I don’t remember anything is really scary. I was completely out of it.

"The police have reviewed CCTV from the club and they say a man was seen lingering around me, but I don’t remember a thing.

"When I got back to my mates, they were really worried about me. I was all over the place and not like myself at all.

"They shone a phone in my eyes and they were shocked at how dilated they were. They said my pupils were really, really small and red. Like I was off my head on drugs.

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"When I got home, my mum knew something wasn’t right. She said I wasn’t making sense and I was apparently telling her I had just got a taxi home from Liverpool.

"I didn’t know where I was or what was happening. I was completely confused. Nothing made sense and I had lost my memory completely."

The next morning, Georgia was still in the grip of the drug and was unable to make sense of what had happened to her the night before.

She began to suspect she had been spiked and then her mum noticed bruising on one of her legs.

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"My mum spotted the bruise and when she looked closer she found a pinprick. It is really sore and feels like it has gone deep inside my muscle.

"She took me to A&E and the doctors said I’d been jabbed with a needle of some sort. They said they’d seen two other girls that day with the same symptoms.

"They took five tubes of blood and are running tests to find out what type of drug was used.

"I can’t believe it happened to me. It’s disgusting and scary and I’m traumatised by what’s happened and what could have happened."

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She added that she was scared that she may have also contracted a disease from a dirty needle.

She said: "It’s really violating and disgusting because they could have given me Hepatitis or anything by jabbing me with it. It’s a horrible feeling."

Others urged to report incidents

Ms Hills explained she wants to encourage others who might have experienced something similar to report their concerns to police.

She said: "I want to warn others. There might be girls who were spiked that night and don’t even realise. They might think they just had too much to drink and feel embarrassed.

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"But I urge them to check for needle marks and report anything suspicious to police so they can properly investigate.

"I’d also like to warn women to always be on guard and aware of what’s happening around them in clubs and pubs.

"It’s horrific to think there are people out there who would do things like this. I’ve heard of this happening in Liverpool where I go to university, but I’ve never known anyone to be spiked with a needle in Preston."

Ms Hills says she wants to see clubs checking people upon entry to prevent date-rape drugs from being smuggled inside.

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"I really think they need to start checking everyone thoroughly before they are allowed into clubs. Random checks are not enough stop this happening.”

What is the nightclub doing about spiking?

Switch has published a post on Facebook addressing concerns over drink spiking, without referring to the alleged incident inside the club over the weekend.

It said: "We are very aware of the recent increase of reports surrounding drink spiking across the UK.

"We want to inform everyone of our existing and from this weekend new policies here at Switch.

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"Customer safety is paramount to us, and we pride ourselves on having the least amount of police incidents reports cases, although being the busiest venue in Preston."

What are the symptoms of being spiked?

Drink Aware says that the symptoms of being spiked could include:

  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Loss of balance 
  • Visual problems 
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Unconsciousness

Drink Aware medical adviser, Dr Sarah Jarvis, says: “The symptoms will depend on a lot of factors such as the substance or mix of substances (including the dose), your size and weight, and how much alcohol you have already consumed.”

Reaction

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “The reports of drinking spiking and people being injected with a needle are very worrying and understandably are causing concern.

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“I have discussed this incident with the Chief Constable and currently we believe the number of incidents are low here in Merseyside, but even one incident is one too many. I would encourage anyone who thinks they have been affected to please report it.

“The police are very alive to this issue and are putting proactive measures, including Operation Empower, to identify potential perpetrators and disrupt those who would cause harm.

“In partnership with LCR Pride, Stop Hate UK, Nightlife CIC, Liverpool City Council and many others, I have also launched ‘You’re Safe Here’ offering free training to night time venues to help their staff to recognise issues and respond effectively. This scheme will ensure they are equipped to help anyone who suffers abuse, intimidation or any form of unacceptable behaviour while out in the city and provide safe spaces for all.

“I recently secured £270,000 of additional Safer Streets funding to improve women’s feelings of safety on our region’s transport network. The new funding will be used to improve CCTV coverage particularly at city centre bus stations in Liverpool One, Queens Square and Sir Thomas Street, create new ‘help points’ connected to the CityWatch control room and better links with emergency services. Travel centres at each of the bus stations will also become ‘safe spaces’ for anyone who feels vulnerable.

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“Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of my priorities and I am committed to working with the police and partners to do everything we can to protect women across Merseyside and keep them safe.”

An version of this article originally appeared on JPI Media title the Lancashire Post.

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