A prominent London restaurateur has been found guilty of spiking a woman's drink with a date-rape drug at an exclusive private members' club in the capital. Vikas Nath, 63, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court for attempting to administer a substance with intent and possession of a Class B drug.
Incident at Annabel's Rooftop Garden
The disturbing incident occurred at the prestigious Annabel's club in Mayfair on January 15, 2024. Nath, who owns several high-end restaurants including two with Michelin stars, laced the woman's spicy margarita with gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) after she briefly left her drink unattended.
Prosecutors revealed that Nath's intention was to drug the woman so he could take her back to his residence for sexual purposes when she became incapacitated. However, his plan was foiled by vigilant staff members who observed him tampering with the cocktail.
Evidence and Investigation
The entire incident was captured on the establishment's CCTV system, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution. Following his arrest, detectives discovered two bottles of the liquid substance at Nath's west London home in Knightsbridge, along with motion sensor cameras positioned to monitor his bed.
During the trial, the court heard that Nath had taken a 'swig' from a bottle containing the substance before entering Annabel's that evening. He later disposed of the GBL bottle in a toilet cistern at the bar before police arrived, though it was subsequently retrieved by investigators.
Defence Claims and Victim's Testimony
While admitting to spiking the drink, Nath insisted his motivation was to help the woman 'relax' rather than facilitate sexual activity. He described the woman as having been 'erratic' at the bar and claimed he wanted her to be 'less anxious and calm down a little bit.'
The restaurateur told jurors he had previously consumed the substance recreationally on several occasions, as it enhanced the effects of alcohol. In a police interview, he stated he originally purchased the chemical in 2016 to clean his BMW before a friend suggested it could be consumed with alcohol as a 'relaxant.'
The victim, who had met Nath several times prior to the incident, testified that she initially defended the businessman when staff warned her about the spiked drink. 'I remember vividly defending Mr Nath, saying 'There is no way he could do that,'' she told the court. 'I felt it was my fault. I didn't want him in trouble, I didn't believe it.' She later expressed feeling 'betrayed' by his actions.
Swift Intervention and Forensic Evidence
Thanks to the quick-thinking actions of Annabel's staff, the contaminated drink was replaced with a fresh one before the woman could consume it. Employees preserved the spiked cocktail for forensic testing, which confirmed the presence of GBL.
During his emotional testimony, a tearful Nath acknowledged, 'What I did was wrong and I regret it very deeply.' The jury ultimately rejected his defence and returned guilty verdicts on both charges.
Broader Context and Campaign
This case emerges against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about violence against women in the UK. In November 2024, Metro launched the 'This Is Not Right' campaign in partnership with Women's Aid to address what they describe as a 'relentless epidemic' of violence against women.
The conviction highlights the importance of vigilance in hospitality venues and the critical role staff can play in preventing such incidents. It also underscores the serious legal consequences for those who engage in drink spiking, regardless of their social or professional standing.
