Police probe Surfers drink-spiking claim
POLICE are investigating an alleged Glitter Strip drinkspiking complaint, as the victim’s parents publicly accuse a member of a sports star’s entourage of being the culprit.
A public Facebook post by ‘Pete n Lee McCarthy’ from Merrimac this week warns to watch out for drink spiking after their daughter Paige was allegedly targeted in Surfers Paradise.
The McCarthys name the sports star but the Bulletin has chosen not to. It is understood the sports star was at the venue on the night but there is no indication he is aware of what happened.
Attempts to contact him yesterday were unsuccessful while the star’s father told the Bulletin it was an “empty story”.
Ms McCarthy, a former bartender at The Bedroom, is believed to have been found passed out in the nightclub’s bathroom club staff
Her parents posted online to say she was ok but “just shaken and angry”.
“Paige made her formal statement to the police this afternoon and they are taking it very seriously,” her parents wrote.
Paige’s friend Chareese Barta, who was with her at the time of the alleged incident, posted on the page: “We are just lucky it wasn’t both of us as I don’t even want to imagine what would happened.”
Police confirmed yesterday the matter was under investigation but would not release further details or what toxicology tests at the hospital have shown.
“Police have received a complaint of an alleged drink spiking incident at Surfers Paradise on March 4,” the police statement said.
“The Queensland Police Service does not identify individuals and will not be releasing by a friend and called an ambulance. any further information as the matter is ongoing.”
Matt Keegan, a director of Artesian Hospitality which owns The Bedroom nightclub, told the Bulletin the venue had supplied CCTV footage from the night but it showed no “indication” of the patron being victim to drink spiking.
“We’re aware of the alleged incident and are very concerned by the seriousness of it,” Mr Keegan said.
“Since Sunday staff have thoroughly reviewed the CCTV footage which tracks the patron throughout the night. Our review of her movements revealed no indication of drink spiking by any third party in the venue.
“We’re unable to comment much further – as it’s the subject of an ongoing investigation.
“We have supplied (police) with the footage of the night and will continue to support their inquiries in any way we can.”