Cruel lover spikes girlfriend's ham roll with drugs

Jun 1 2008 Exclusive by David Taylor

A YOUNG mum was rushed to hospital after her lover gave her a ham roll spiked with Ecstasy.

Karen Ward has dumped Alec Burnett - who she planned to marry - after he admitted slipping the crushed Class A drug into her snack.

Terrified Karen, 25, told doctors she felt "hyper" with a racing heartbeat and dry mouth. Tests confirmed she was under the influence of Ecstasy - even though she had never taken illegal drugs.

When Karen confronted Burnett, 31 - the father of her two children - he admitted hiding the dance drug in the roll.

She now believes it was not the first time he spiked her food with drugs.

Karen said: "When I came back from hospital he actually admitted what he had done and I realised it wasn't the first time.

"He had been spiking my food and drink with Ecstasy and speed for ages.

"I had thought there was something wrong for a while but never imagined the father of my children was capable of such a thing.

"He used to wait until I had had a few drinks before putting drugs in my food. Then he would speak to me as if nothing had happened and just say I was paranoid.

"I knew there was something wrong but couldn't figure out what it was.

"When I was taken to hospital I felt hyper, my heart rate shot up and my mouth was dry.

"Doctors told me my blood pressure was through the roof and tests confirmed I was suffering the effects of ecstasy.

"When Alec eventually admitted what he had done he thought it was funny and was laughing like a wee boy. I couldn't believe it."

The couple were together for five years before the incident at Karen's home in Kilmarnock. Three years ago she called off their wedding a week before the planned ceremony because of tyre fitter Burnett's behaviour.

She said: "I was sick of the way he treated me. There were times when he was the nicest guy in the world, then his behaviour would just be outrageous.

"He has kicked my door in and treated me terribly.

"I had threatened to call the police before then backed down but after he told me about the Ecstasy I decided enough was enough."

Burnett will be sentenced this week after pleading guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court to culpable and reckless conduct by concealing Ecstasy in a roll.

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'He'd been spiking my food with Ecstasy and speed for ages'

KAREN WARD