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Freo.Social ‘drink-spiking’ left woman unable to walk or speak

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Ben AndersonThe West Australian
Three women who attended a gig in Fremantle claim their drinks were spiked while they were on the dance floor.
Camera IconThree women who attended a gig in Fremantle claim their drinks were spiked while they were on the dance floor. Credit: Monkey Business Images/Monkey Business - stock.adobe.com

A possible drink-spiking incident at a Fremantle pub that left one patron unable to walk or speak is being investigated by police.

Three women who attended a gig at Freo.Social on Friday say their drinks were spiked while they were on the dance floor.

One of the women, Kura Perkins, said she had three drinks over three hours but could not remember anything once the band started to play.

“We did have some bottles of bubbles, and then they got put to the side of the dance floor, and then three of us went pretty rapidly down hill at the beginning of the night,” she told 6PR.

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Freo.Social said it was saddened the drink-spiking incident had occurred at the venue.
Camera IconFreo.Social said it was saddened the drink-spiking incident had occurred at the venue. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

“I actually don’t know what happened, we’re trying to get CCTV to try and put together the pieces.”

Ms Perkins said when she left the venue she was staggering and unable to speak.

“A couple of good Samaritans from Maylands saw me and were trying to render assistance and then my husband phoned.

“There was about 40 minutes that I lost completely.”

Freo.Social confirmed the incident and have provided security video from the night to police.

“This is something no one should go through. It is both frightening for the victims and their friends and family,” read a post on Freo.Social’s Facebook page.

“We are deeply saddened that this occurred at our venue — a place we strive to be safe for all,”

“We therefore wish take this moment to remind our patrons to keep a look out for each other and for suspicious activity, and to report anything of concern immediately to venue management or security.

Freo.Social said patrons should never leave their drinks unattended and urged anyone who felt they may have had their drinks spiked to contact the venue immediately.

WA Police confirmed it was investigating reports of a person feeling unwell after drinking at a licenced premises on Friday night.

A police spokesperson said drink spiking was illegal in WA and anyone who believed it had happened to them should attend a hospital where medical assistance could be provided and samples obtained.

Drink spiking victims Kayla and Jenny at Esplanade Park in Fremantle.
Camera IconDrink spiking victims Kayla and Jenny at Esplanade Park in Fremantle. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

“This is paramount from an investigative perspective, as it will support other aspects of the investigation such as speaking to witnesses, and interrogating CCTV if applicable,” the spokesperson said.

“When investigating ‘drink spiking’ reports, it may be difficult to identify sufficient evidence to these types of offences especially if there are delays in reporting the offence as the suspected substance causing the symptoms may no longer be detectable in a person’s urine or blood.”

Earlier this month The West Australian spoke to a number of Perth women — and one man — who said they had their drinks spiked in Fremantle in recent months.

Kayla, whose name has been changed for privacy purposes, believes her drink was spiked at the Federal Hotel on the night of April 16.

The young law clerk had enjoyed two beers in the two hours she’d spent at after-work drinks when she and a group of colleagues left for another venue.

“I was sitting down and then all of a sudden I just felt instantly weak,” Kayla said.

“It was so rapid. I couldn’t move my body and I was slurring my words. I was trying to get my friend’s attention, trying to grab my phone to call my partner, but I couldn’t speak or sit up.”

Have you been the victim of drink spiking? Contact sarah.steger@wanews.com.au and the WA Police Force on 131 444.

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