Mother slams Hertfordshire police for 'brushing' spiking claims

Mother-of-two Melody Ann-Louise, from North Bushey, went out with friends for her husband's birthday at the Slug & Lettuce in Victoria Street, St Albans, on March 5.

She claims a verbal row led to her allegedly being pulled to the ground, stomped on and bottled, while her partner was held in a chokehold and repeatedly punched.

Ms Ann-Louise previously told the Observer that part of the argument started because her partner saw a guy acting suspiciously and believed he had spiked a drink.

Melody Ann-Louise with her black eye

Hertfordshire Constabulary initially stated this was not reported to police at the time.

Upon further request for information, a spokesperson added: “Officers spoke with those directly involved at the scene and no one reported witnessing a spiking incident or feeling unwell as a result of spiking.”

Ms Ann-Louise’s initial witness statement, which was seen by the Observer, repeatedly mentioned suspicions of the drink being spiked.

The manager at Slug & Lettuce also explained that he was told by an officer the drink in question was seized by police.

However it has emerged the drink was discarded after it was allegedly “seized”, and no tests were done to see if it was drugged.

Melody Ann-Louise says that one man bottled her

A spokesperson for the force added that despite police being made aware of the suspicions, because no one saw the drink being spiked nor did anyone appear to be in the condition of a spiked victim, no further investigations into the spiking were made at the time.

The spokesperson continued: “However we take reports of spiking seriously and we are now appealing to anyone else who was at the venue at the time to see if there is any more information that could assist an enquiry.”

Ms Ann-Louise claims that no one checked on the condition of the girl who took the drink.

She said: “What’s the point of a police force if they’re not going to investigate something?

“I feel it was brushed under the carpet before they fully investigated it… it looks like from the beginning they didn’t want to know.”

Melody Ann-Louise says that one man bottled her

She added that it doesn’t feel safe going on a night out anymore, given what she feels was “shoddy police work” and there should be more “victim care training” in handling similar situations.

Police were at the scene and arrested two people after some fled, but they were later released with no further action due to “a lack of evidence” and the case was closed.

Shortly after Ms Ann-Louise spoke to the Observer and we reached out to the force, police said they are now calling for witnesses as "further information has since come to light".

Slug & Lettuce in St Albans

Detective Inspector Adrian Lysak said: “We are now working to build a full picture of the events that took place on the night.

"Initial enquiries have resulted in a lack of sufficient evidence, so we are now asking the public for their assistance."

Information can be reported through the non-emergency number 101, quoting 41/18059/22 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or crimestopers-uk.org.