A Carlisle man who spiked a work colleague’s Monster energy drink with white spirit has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how the victim of Kai Campbell’s apparent prank was told he may die after he unwittingly drank the poisoned product.
It was at around 7.50am on April 26 2022 that the man arrived at the city work site where Campbell was also employed.
He drank from a Monster energy product which he left open and inside a cabin before going to do some work. On returning he noticed a strange smell — and that Campbell was mumbling and red-faced — before picking up the drink.
“He swallowed a mouthful. His mouth began to burn,” said prosecutor Ben Stanley. The employee rinsed his mouth with water before being sick in a toilet. He was taken to hospital and underwent blood tests and a full body scan.
“He was told at that stage there was a risk he could die,” said Mr Stanley. For three days he was uncertain about any lasting damage being caused, and a tube was inserted to check for any internal injuries.
“This hasn’t done any lasting damage,” said the victim in an impact statement. But he added: “I was panicking. Truthfully, all that was running through my mind was thinking about dying.
“I’m finding it had to trust people. My trust in others has totally gone.”
Campbell, of Garden Street, near London Road, Carlisle, repeatedly denied any involvement in the aftermath but was caught on CCTV entering and leaving the cabin at the material time. Police found he had typed what if you drink paint remover into an online search on his phone before the incident.
He pleaded guilty to administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieved or annoy. Forensic testing showed the substance in question to be white spirit.
Defence lawyer Marion Weir said Campbell, now 21, was only 19 at the time he committed a crime she suggested was opportunistic and not something premeditated in the most heinous of ways.
It had been identified by a probation officer as a prank which went drastically wrong at the time of an online craze dubbed the taste buds challenge, said Ms Weir.
Campbell had lost his job as a result of the offence but was currently in the second year of a plumbing apprenticeship. He had stayed out of trouble since April 2022, and was due to be a father later this year.
Judge Michael Fanning highlighted Campbell’s immaturity as he suspended a 13-month custodial sentence for two years.
The judge concluded there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and ordered Campbell to work with probation staff, and to complete 100 hours’ community service.
“Learn from this, Mr Campbell,” said Judge Fanning at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.
He observed of the offence: “I can’t see for the life of me where this had any element of fun in it for anybody.”
