A Spanish hotel worker has been accused of trying to poison tourists by pouring bleach over a buffet dinner.
Police and prosecutors say the 50-year-old woman acted out of revenge after being told her contract wasn’t being renewed at a Costa del Sol hotel.
Two guests alerted one of the waitress’ bosses after seeing her pouring a yellowish liquid over a tray of fruit and yoghurt in a glass dessert display case which had been prepared as part of an evening buffet meal.
The unnamed hotel worker returned to the kitchen, pushing a cleaning trolley to remove dirty plates.
The hotel receptionist and head of security alerted police after demanding an explanation from the waitress, who denied any wrongdoing as soon as she was confronted.
They are said to have handed over two bottles of dishwasher detergent containing bleach when detectives arrived.
Tests on the affected food, separated from the rest and handed over to police in a Tupperware container, were later found to have been tainted with the chemical, according to Malaga newspaper Sur.
The horror incident emerged today as the respected media outlet said the hotel worker had been charged with a crime against public health and ordered to stand trial after being warned she could be handed a three-year prison sentence if convicted.
She denies any wrongdoing and is expected to register a ‘not guilty’ plea when she takes the stand at a court in Malaga shortly.
The alleged poisoning attempt occurred just before 9pm on May 31 2023 but only came to light today following confirmation public prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence for the woman accused.
She has been charged under article 365 of the Spanish Penal Code, which covers the deliberate poisoning of the public water supply and food and carries a prison sentence of between two and six years.
Public prosecutors are accusing her of acting out of revenge after being told earlier the same day her work contract was not going to be renewed.
A pre-trial indictment also references another incident five days earlier, on May 26, 2023. Public prosecutors say the hotel worker poured bleach into a bottle of milk in the establishment’s bar, which was used by colleagues but not by guests.
The name of the hotel is expected to come out at trial when the woman will be identified.
It was not immediately clear this morning when the trial would take place.
