South Glos mum left with brain injury after suspected spiking

Simone White, aged 43, was out with friends at a bottomless brunch in Bristol when she started to feel "very funny".

The mum-of-three collapsed and was taken to A&E suffering with seizures.

She was eventually discharged and told the side effects would "wear off" but Simone has been left with stuttered speech and struggling to walk.

Following a CT scan, doctors believe Simone suffered a functional neurological disorder (FND). 

She is awaiting the results of an MRI to confirm her diagnosis.

Simone, a self-employed cleaner, from Bradley Stoke, said: "From my perspective this has been life-altering.

"Your body is your body and no one has the right to decide what to do with it.

"I don't want anyone to go through what I have gone through.

"There are really long term damaging effects to being spiked.

"I was so complacent. Who an earth would want to spike a 43-year-old?

"There needs to be more awareness of the potential."

Simone White, aged 43, was out with friends at a bottomless brunch in Bristol when she started to feel very funny (Image: SWNS)

Simone realised something was "very wrong" when she went out for fresh air on May 4, 2024.

After trying to find her eldest son, 18 - who was in town - Simone collapsed on the street.

Strangers were able to call her parents and partner George Milis, 53, and they took her to A&E.

Simone said: "I was very agitated. I had no control of my body at all.

"I was having episodes of consciousness an unconsciousness.

"When I was conscious I was gurning, throwing things, going rigid and scratching and clawing.

"They believe I was having seizures."

Simone had her bloods taken and was given some painkillers but was discharged the next morning.

But Simone continued to struggle with her speech and walking.

On May 8, 2024 she was taken for an MRI and a neurologist examined her.

Simone said: "The neurologist believes I have something called FND.

"It's something usually triggered by a stressful event."

Simone is now waiting for the results of her MRI to confirm the diagnosis and look at the next steps.

Simone White with her partner George Milis (Image: SWNS)

In the meantime she said her walking has improved but she is still a little unsteady and her gate has slightly altered.

Simone still really struggles with her speech and has spasms and ticks.

She said: "I loved a night out. I love drum and base and festivals.

"Now it's made me feel unsafe."

Simone is currently unable to work, and doctors have told her not to drive.

Police issue statement 

Avon and Somerset Police are investigating the incident.

A police spokesperson said: "We're investigating an incident in which a woman required hospital treatment in a suspected spiking incident while visiting a bar in Bristol.

"She had been with a friend in Bristol city centre between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday 4 May before falling unwell and being taken to hospital.

"The incident was reported to police later that evening and enquiries are ongoing.

"Officers are keen to hear from anyone who has information that could help the investigation, particularly anyone who was at Tonight Josephine in Baldwin Street between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday 4 May.

"If you have any information please call 101.”

A Tonight Josephine spokesperson said: "Nothing is more important to us than our customer’s safety.

"We have CCTV in all of our venues, spiking kits behind the bar, phone chargers in all of our sites and our staff are all trained to work with anyone who feels under threat in anyway.

"We are aware of an incident that is alleged to have taken place in Bristol last Saturday and can confirm that the victim did visit one of our bars late Saturday afternoon.

"We have comprehensive CCTV from the afternoon, which we have shared with the police, and confirm that upon full review at no point does anyone outside of the booking touch any vessel that she drinks from.

"We urge other bars that she visited throughout the night to do the same.

"It is awful that spiking does happen and we must continue to do all that we can to protect our customers so that they are free to enjoy themselves on their precious nights out.

"We are devastated to learn of the potentially long lasting effects that this might have on the victim."