A man accused of attempting to spike the drink of a woman inside a Cumbrian town centre nightclub is to stand trial in front of a jury later this year.
Florin Busliuc, 38, faces one charge which arises out of an alleged incident at Penrith’s Warehouse bar, Burrowgate, on Sunday February 15 this year.
This charge alleges that Busliuc attempted to administer a poison or noxious substance — which is currently unknown — to the woman with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.
When he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today, remotely over a video link, Busliuc tendered a plea of not guilty.
Addressing a judge with the assistance of an interpreter, Romanian national Busliuc told the court: “Your Honour, I am innocent. I am a working family man with two children at home.
“Please believe me. I haven’t done such a thing and haven’t administered anything to anybody.”
A trial date was fixed. This hearing — in front of a jury and estimated to last three days — is due to start at the crown court on 19th August this year. In the meantime Busliuc, of Newton Rigg, near Penrith, remains remanded in custody.
An application for bail was refused by the judge.
