Swedish tourist admits drink spiking

File Photo

A Swedish tourist who admitted spiking the drinks of four people at a Napier bar has accepted that he misled his victims about the nature of the drug and the serious effects of taking substantial quantities of it.

Hannibal Claes Tranell, 29, had name suppression lifted by Judge Alistair Garland today after a disputed facts hearing in Napier District Court.

In his written decision, Judge Garland said Tranell had pleaded guilty to four charges of supplying a Class B controlled drug to four people in the Cri Bar and Grill in Napier on December 4 last year.

Tranell was alleged to have told one or more of the four victims that liquid in a small bottle that he produced was a natural herbal substance. The victims each consumed drinks with the liquid in it.

About 1.30 the next morning each of the four became very ill. Two collapsed on the dance floor, with one convulsing before stopping breathing. He was revived by CPR administered by another bar patron. A third victim had collapsed in the bar toilets and a fourth had been taken upstairs and was unconscious. All four were hospitalised overnight.

Although Tranell admitted supplying the drug, he claimed they knew it was GHB, also known as GBL, fantasy or liquid euphoria. The Crown argued there were aggravating features including a sexual motive for supplying the drug and the serious effects it had on the four people.

Judge Garland said evidence suggested one of the victims had obtained the bottle from Tranell during an evening of drinking and poured some of the drug into one of his companion's drink.

The judge said the accused was solely responsible for the serious effects the drug had on one victim and while not solely responsible for the effect on the other three, he had materially contributed by supplying the drug in the first place and by misleading them on its true nature.

He said the evidence indicated that Tranell supplied GHB to the four people, three men and a woman, knowing it might reduce their inhibitions and make them feel more inclined to have sex with him.

Tranell was remanded in custody for sentencing in Hastings District Court on May 19.

- NZPA