A BOOTS pharmacist is on trial for allegedly spiking his co-worker's water bottle with a laxative.
A trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard that Shahan Mir, 34, allegedly added Lactulose to Farah Abdulquader's water bottle to "teach her a lesson."
Reportedly, there had been animosity between the two about Abdulquader's habit of bringing her own water into the dispensary.
Abdulquader spat out the liquid, but she is said to have suffered from diarrhea and vomiting.
Andrew Baker, prosecuting, said Mir slipped a laxative as a "form of retribution."
He said: "The prosecution say there was animosity between the two.
"His actions were at the very least foolish and, we would say, criminal. His intention was to annoy her at the very least.
"Whether it was some form of retribution or to teach her a lesson, it was an incredibly stupid and criminal thing to do."
During an interview with West Midlands Police, Mir said his actions were "unpremeditated."
"My intention was to remove the bottle. I regret doing what I did," said Mir.
"It was a moment of madness. I was trying to shock her. But in hindsight I have caused her distress. I am sorry to her."
The trial continues.