A COLCHESTER man who spiked a woman’s drink with cocaine, in a bid to get her into bed, could avoid a prison sentence, a judge has said.

Michael Winton, 43, of Victoria Gardens, was told by Judge Christopher Ball he could face a jail sentence of up to 15 months.

However, depending on a pre-sentence report, it could be reduced to a suspended sentence, the judge added.

Winton admitted administering a noxious substance to the woman at an address in Colchester.

Prosecutor Paul Evans told Chelmsford Crown Court Winton had had a “casual relationship” with the woman over a number of weeks.

He had gone to her home, between 10pm and 11pm, on February 25 last year. Both had earlier been drinking separately.

Winton had asked the woman if she “wanted it”, referring to sex, and had also offered her cocaine, both of which she declined.

She went upstairs at about 10.30pm and when she returned to Winton she found her drink tasted “disgusting”.

The woman poured it into a hip flask and it was later found to contain 90 mlgs of cocaine.

Clare Ashcroft, mitigating, said: “He fell asleep on the sofa, she put a blanket on him and left him, before dropping him at the High Street the next morning.”

Ordering pre-sentence reports, Mr Ball said there were “general public horrors attached to people who spike drinks, especially for sexual activity”.

He added: “But, to his credit, he didn’t pursue matters, which marks him apart from other sexual predators.”

Mr Ball remanded Winton on bail until November 2, with a condition not to contact the woman involved, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He told Winton: “Any jail sentence would be limited to 15 months, but I will adjourn to decide whether I’m in a position to suspend it.”