A man is accused of spiking a female friend’s drink with an aphrodisiac in an attempt to coerce her into having sex with him, a court has heard. The incident allegedly took place at the exclusive Kensington Roof Gardens in West London.
Key Takeaways
- Shervin Dorostkar, 30, is accused of spiking a friend’s drink with "Spanish Gold Fly."
- The incident occurred at Kensington Roof Gardens, an exclusive venue in West London.
- Dorostkar allegedly intended to stupefy the woman to engage in sexual activity.
- The woman, who cannot be identified, testified that she trusted Dorostkar.
- Dorostkar denies the charges and claims he used the aphrodisiac for energy.
The Incident
Shervin Dorostkar, 30, is alleged to have slipped "Spanish Gold Fly," a female aphrodisiac, into his friend’s strawberry cocktail at Kensington Roof Gardens. The two had met through Facebook and had gone out several times as friends, with no romantic involvement.
On May 13, Dorostkar picked up his friend at 11:30 PM and took her to the venue. The woman believed other friends would join them, but they never arrived. Around 1:10 AM, Dorostkar bought her a strawberry cocktail, which she accepted because she couldn’t drink alcohol due to a stomach ulcer.
Suspicious Behavior
Bar staff noticed Dorostkar making an "unusual movement" with his hands below bar level before handing the drink to his friend. When the woman took a sip, staff immediately asked if she was okay and informed her that the drink might have been spiked.
Prosecutor Matthew Dalton stated, "The defendant is charged with administering a substance with intent."
Emotional Testimony
The woman appeared in court, visibly upset, and admitted she had trusted Dorostkar. She recounted how Dorostkar had asked her to lie to the staff, saying, "Tell them you are my girlfriend, I just wanted to have sex."
CCTV footage reviewed by the bar manager allegedly showed Dorostkar dropping one of the drinks below bar level and placing something in it. Dorostkar was detained and appeared "tense and nervous" when police arrived. A sachet labeled "Gold Fly sex drops" was found by the bar.
Dorostkar’s Defense
Dorostkar claimed he had consumed "nine or ten" vodka Red Bulls and wanted the aphrodisiac for more energy. He also allegedly begged the woman not to get him into trouble, saying, "Please, I want to get my British passport."
Dorostkar, an Iranian national from Perivale, North-West London, denies the charge of attempting to administer a substance with intent to stupefy or overpower to allow sexual activity. The trial is ongoing.
What is Spanish Gold Fly?
Spanish Gold Fly is marketed as a "100% natural and herbal" female aphrodisiac. Its namesake, the Spanish Fly, is an emerald-green beetle known for its aphrodisiac properties. The beetle secretes cantharidin, a compound that can cause swelling in the urinary tract, mimicking arousal. However, cantharidin is highly toxic and can be lethal in small amounts.
In a historical case from 1954, Arthur Ford, an office manager in London, added cantharidin to sweets to win over a co-worker. Tragically, the woman and another staff member who consumed the sweets died.
The trial continues as the court examines the evidence and testimonies.
