A woman who was accused of tampering with her colleagues' coffee by adding Viagra was acquitted on Thursday after asserting that she was framed. In September 2018, Karen Beale, 62, was apprehended following a covert recording that captured her utilizing gloves to handle a jar of Nescafé at a factory in Dover, England. At the time, she was employed as a cleaner at the facility. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had to wait for over five years before her trial could take place.
According to reports from Canterbury Crown Court, an accountant raised concerns about an unusual taste and the presence of blue and white specks in the coffee. In response, the accountant decided to take matters into their own hands by discreetly installing a hidden camera. The camera captured footage of Beale inspecting a jar of coffee and giving it a shake, as reported by the Mirror. According to the Guardian, the police discovered two jars of coffee that were found to contain sildenafil, a medication commonly known as Viagra, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction and high cholesterol.
During the three-day trial, prosecutors presented their argument that the video provided undeniable proof of tampering. According to Beale, they had high hopes and expectations for the drug to produce some positive results. According to Beale, she was simply carrying out an inspection of the coffee as instructed by a general manager. The lawyer contended that the footage did not originate from a source that could be considered unbiased.
According to the court, a senior staff member had expressed their annoyance with Beale. "I am curious," defense lawyer Ben Irwin questioned, as reported by the Guardian, "why do we have all this footage without any visible evidence of anything being poured into the coffee?" Karen Beale is observed carefully examining the coffee. Completely in line with her argument.
After three hours of deliberation, Beale was acquitted of two charges of attempting to administer a poison or other substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy. According to The Mirror, she has made an appeal against her termination due to gross misconduct.
According to reports from Canterbury Crown Court, an accountant raised concerns about an unusual taste and the presence of blue and white specks in the coffee. In response, the accountant decided to take matters into their own hands by discreetly installing a hidden camera. The camera captured footage of Beale inspecting a jar of coffee and giving it a shake, as reported by the Mirror. According to the Guardian, the police discovered two jars of coffee that were found to contain sildenafil, a medication commonly known as Viagra, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction and high cholesterol.
During the three-day trial, prosecutors presented their argument that the video provided undeniable proof of tampering. According to Beale, they had high hopes and expectations for the drug to produce some positive results. According to Beale, she was simply carrying out an inspection of the coffee as instructed by a general manager. The lawyer contended that the footage did not originate from a source that could be considered unbiased.
According to the court, a senior staff member had expressed their annoyance with Beale. "I am curious," defense lawyer Ben Irwin questioned, as reported by the Guardian, "why do we have all this footage without any visible evidence of anything being poured into the coffee?" Karen Beale is observed carefully examining the coffee. Completely in line with her argument.
After three hours of deliberation, Beale was acquitted of two charges of attempting to administer a poison or other substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy. According to The Mirror, she has made an appeal against her termination due to gross misconduct.
