Areas clamp down on drink spiking
A new device to combat drink spiking the Spika Stoppa has been launched in south Wales, while in Southampton, a new anti-spiking campaign is under way. The Spika Stoppa fits in the neck of a bottle and allows a straw to be inserted, making it difficult for substances to be put in the drink. It was developed by Rob Breston and Gary Daniels of GR Tool and Jigwork. Pontypridd council has bought 10,000 of the gadgets to send to pubs and clubs in the area. The device's launch follows a recent increase in reports of drink spikings in Wales. A pre-Christmas campaign by all four Welsh police forces to highlight drink spiking led to seven reported cases in less than three weeks in Gwent alone. Meanwhile, in Southampton, posters featuring the cartoon hedgehog Spike are being distributed to hundreds of pubs and clubs in the city, with advice including: don't leave your drink unattended; don't accept drinks from strangers; and avoid clubbing alone. The posters will also be put up in university campuses and Night Link buses. Licensing Officer, Inspector Jon Snook, said drink spiking was a "relatively rare crime" in the city one or two allegations are made each month but the force takes the threat "very seriously". Jail for man who damaged bar A man who caused £10,000 damage to a Birmingham bar after being thrown out by doorstaff has been jailed for 22 months. Adam Dullea, 21, was ejected from the Indi Bar at the Arcadia Centre on a Sunday afternoon last November when a doorman decided he was acting inappropriately, Birmingham Crown Court heard on Saturday. David Pearson, prosecuting, said Dullea let out either CS gas or pepper spray as he was being escorted out. He was eventually ejected but later returned with a hammer, smashed the glass doors of the bar and re-entered the building. Dullea left again but returned to threaten the doorman and throw stools into the bar. John Maxwell, mitigating, said Dullea lost his temper after receiving a blow to the head as he was being escorted out. Dullea, of Moseley Road, Moseley, admitted common assault and two charges of criminal damage. Publican appeals over lost licence A landlord is battling to save his business after a court heard he'd been serving escaped prisoners. Reg Hawkins, landlord of the Shepherd & Dog in Hollesley, Suffolk, lost his licence after magistrates found him guilty of a number of offences of serving alcohol after hours. The court also heard evidence to suggest he'd served Hollesley Bay inmates on the run, although the magistrates disregarded that when passing sentence. Now Hawkins, who is appealing against the decision, admits he may have unwittingly served prisoners. He said: "How am I meant to know the difference between an inmate and a normal customer?" An application was made by police not to renew Hawkins' licence when it expired in March and, at a hearing in Ipswich, magistrates upheld this application. Hawkins is now waiting for a date for his appeal to be heard at Ipswich Crown Court. He will be allowed to continue serving until then. Football fan lobbed bottles at police A Shrewsbury Town fan, who threw bottles at police during a disturbance at a Shropshire pub, has been jailed for seven months. Richard Blent, 20, was among Shrewsbury Town fans who were locked in the Yorkshire House in Shrewsbury after the side played Hereford United last November. The action was taken by police to keep them away from Hereford supporters who were on their way to the railway station. Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that Blent was among those hurling bottles at police when violence flared at the pub. Samantha Crabb, prosecuting, said bottles were thrown at the fire exit and a pane of glass was smashed. Adrian Roberts, defending, said it had not been a planned attack and Blent agreed his behaviour was unacceptable.
