An Essex woman has revealed how she was left feeling “sick, dizzy and hot”, before going into spasms after being spiked on a night out. 

Layla Bartlett, 20, went drinking with her friends to the Slug and Lettuce Bar in Chelmsford on Friday night.

The 20-year-old, from Wickford, said after one cocktail she began to feel sick, dizzy, and hot before then going into spasms. After quickly noticing there was something wrong, her friends phoned an ambulance.

Due to the wait for an ambulance, her mum instead came and picked her up and rushed her to A&E in Broomfield.

The video taken by her mum shows Layla looking distressing while making noises and being unable to control her jaw. 

Layla told the Echo: “We had been in the bar for around an hour, and had spent most of our time at the table, apart from five minutes where a few of us went outside to get some air.

“My friends have then told me, as I don’t remember any of it, I said I needed the toilet, and whilst I was in there, I went all funny. I started screaming for help as I felt sick, dizzy, and hot. When my friends came over, they said my eyes had rolled back, and my arms were having spasms.

  • For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

“I am devastated that this happened to me and also my friends who had to witness it.

“We always go out to the same location where we feel safe and we never thought this would happen to us, so it feels very surreal and gutting.

“I do not remember a single thing from that night. But my friends are traumatised from witnessing it.”

Layla fears she may have been spiked via an injection, rather than through drugs being placed in her drink. 

Once Layla came around in hospital, she claims she had a pain in her arm as well as a rash, and what looks like a needle mark.

Layla said: “My aim now, by sharing my story, is to help other victims of spiking.“I know so many people have been silenced and have not been taken seriously. So many girls and boys too have such similar stories to me, and often it gets laughed off as ‘being too drunk’.

A spokesman for Slug and Lettuce said: “Guest safety is our priority and we take any allegations of drink spiking very seriously. We are in contact with the guest and her family and we will fully assist the police with their enquiries including any requests for CCTV.” 

Essex Police confirmed it is investigating reports of a spiking in the venue. 

We passionately believe in providing unrivalled quality journalism and value for money.

With a digital subscription, you can access our exclusive, insightful and trustworthy local news from just £1 a week.

If you are not already subscribing, sign up today to get instant access to our trusted local coverage - and an ad-light experience - check what package works best for you here.