A man who attempted to spike a woman’s drink at a private members’ club in Mayfair has been convicted following a rapid police investigation.
Vikas Nath, 63, of Knightsbridge, appeared at Southwark Crown Court where he was found guilty of administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence, and possession of a controlled Class B drug.
The incident took place on Monday 15 January 2024 at a private club on Berkeley Square. Police were called at around 7.40pm after vigilant members of staff witnessed Nath using a straw to transfer liquid from a small bottle into a woman’s drink while she was not present.
Officers arrived quickly and arrested Nath at the scene. Although no drugs were found on him initially, CCTV footage from inside the venue showed him removing a small bottle from his trouser pocket and spiking the drink on two separate occasions before going to the toilet.
A subsequent search of the toilet led officers to a discarded bottle hidden inside the cistern. Forensic analysis later confirmed the substance used was GBL — a rare but dangerous drug known for its ability to incapacitate victims.
Further searches of Nath’s home uncovered two larger unlabelled bottles of clear liquid under his kitchen sink, which were also confirmed to be GBL.
Following a five-day trial, Nath was convicted and remanded in custody. He will be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Constable Louis Prior, from the Metropolitan Police’s Public Protection Command, described Nath’s actions as “despicable and sinister”.
He said: “Thanks to the quick-thinking actions of the venue’s staff and the thorough work of the attending officers, Nath was prevented from causing harm and is now being held accountable.
“I commend the courage and resilience shown by the victim throughout this investigation. I also want to thank the venue for their cooperation and commitment to safeguarding women and girls.”
The Metropolitan Police said spiking offences remain a priority, particularly within London’s nightlife. While such incidents are relatively rare, officers stress the importance of early reporting and intervention.
Over the past year, the Met has rolled out specialist training to more than 23,000 officers and staff to strengthen investigations and victim support. It has also worked closely with nightlife venues to improve staff awareness and response.
New preventative measures include mobile drug-testing equipment, specialist vape-spiking detectors, and near infra-red detection technology already being used in clubs, festivals and schools.
Police say collaborative prevention efforts have contributed to a significant rise in charges linked to spiking offences, reinforcing the importance of vigilance, swift reporting and partnership working.
Anyone with concerns about spiking is urged to contact the police immediately.
