A businessman who spiked the drinks of two women in a bid to lure them into sex has been jailed for six years - after West Midlands Police foiled his attempts to hide evidence of being drugged.

Ganga Siriwardhana arranged separate dates with the women in Birmingham city centre in April and May last year after speaking to them over Chinese social media channels using a fake identity. The 51-year-old then discreetly spiked the drinks of the university students, who were both from China, with clozapine which can lead to severe drowsiness.

One of the women collapsed in a restaurant and other diners became suspicious as Siriwardhana tried to take her out. Officers were called and concerns were raised after he appeared to have deliberately poured a drink onto the floor.

Despite claims it was an accident, officers sent the glass for forensic analysis where the presence of drugs were established. Siriwardhana also spiked the drinks of another woman - just weeks apart - but a member of the public saw her drowsy state and called police. Officers attended but Siriwardhana had already driven off and the victim was taken to hospital. Tests later confirmed she had been drugged and it was quickly established that Siriwardhana was responsible. 

Siriwardhana, of Warwick Road, Solihull, and studying Chinese at the time denied charges of administering a noxious substance with intent to commit a sexual act. He was convicted after a trial and jailed at Birmingham Crown Court last Friday (12 October). DC Laurence Green, from force CID, said:

"Drink spiking is illegal, regardless of whether an attack or assault is carried out afterwards. Victims can be left with a loss of control through absolutely no fault of their own. This was something that Siriwardhana was preying on to lure them into sex.

"I would like to thank the public who stepped in on both occasions when they saw what was happening and called us; their interventions were crucial in thwarting his main intentions.

"There may have been more Chinese women who were targeted by him and we would urge anyone else who may have been a victim to come forward and speak to us."

Anyone who believes that their drink has been spiked is urged to call the force on 999 immediately.