Alert venue workers at a Berkeley Square private members club prevented a potential sexual assault after witnessing a customer use a straw to spike a woman’s drink with a dangerous substance, leading to a conviction at Southwark Crown Court today.
Vikas Nath, 63, from Knightsbridge, was found guilty of administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence and possession of a controlled class B drug following a five-day trial. He has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at a later date.
Staff at the Mayfair establishment contacted police at approximately 7:41pm on Monday 15 January 2024 after observing Nath’s suspicious behaviour. Officers arrested him at the scene within hours, with charges brought the following day in what Detective Constable Louis Prior described as exemplary quick action.
CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed Nath removing a small bottle from his trouser pocket and using a straw to transfer liquid into the woman’s drink on two separate occasions before visiting the toilet. Officers searched the facility and located a discarded bottle hidden in the toilet cistern.
Initial searches of Nath found no drugs on his person. However, forensic analysis of the spiked drink revealed it contained GBL, a rare but dangerous substance capable of incapacitating victims. A subsequent search of his Knightsbridge home uncovered two larger bottles of unlabelled clear liquid beneath his kitchen sink, which also tested positive for GBL.
DC Prior of the Met’s Public Protection Command stated: “Nath’s actions were despicable and sinister, adding a dangerous drug to a woman’s drink while she wasn’t present in an attempt to enable sexual activity.”
He commended the victim’s strength throughout the investigation, noting: “It’s hard to imagine how she is feeling after discovering Nath’s predatory intentions, however she has demonstrated immense courage.”
The detective praised the venue’s cooperation and commitment to safeguarding women and girls, thanking staff for their diligence in spotting and reporting the incident immediately.
The conviction forms part of a wider Metropolitan Police crackdown on spiking offences that resulted in a 125 percent increase in charges compared to 2024, demonstrating the impact of early reporting and collaborative prevention efforts.
DC Prior acknowledged public concern about spiking incidents whilst emphasizing improved police training and partnerships with nighttime economy venues across the capital. He stated: “We are better trained than ever to investigate spiking offences and work closely with nighttime economy venues across the capital, to ensure that staff are acutely aware of what to do should they become concerned.”
The Met has rolled out bespoke training to 23,000 officers and staff, strengthening investigation skills and victim support capabilities as part of prioritizing safety for women and girls.
During peak nighttime economy periods last year, the force combined awareness campaigns with cutting-edge technology in partnership with Meta and the Safer Business Network. Officers launched an immersive virtual reality experience in central London, allowing office workers to experience real-life scenarios where spiking could occur.
Police are now exploring specialist vape-spiking detection equipment capable of rapidly testing vapes suspected of containing drugs such as THC or Spice. This technology, already deployed in nightclubs, festivals and schools, forms part of a wider toolkit including mobile drug testing equipment and near infra-red detectors supported by a mobile app for quickly identifying powders and tablets suspected of containing controlled substances.
Authorities encourage anyone concerned about potential spiking to contact police immediately, emphasizing the importance of swift reporting in securing convictions and preventing harm.
