A Spanish hotel worker faces jail after reportedly pouring bleach over a buffet dinner in revenge for losing her job.
Police and prosecutors said the 50-year-old woman was told her contract would not be renewed at the Costa del Sol hotel before carrying out the cruel act.
Fortunately, two guests caught her suspiciously pouring a yellowish liquid over a tray of fruit and yogurt in a glass dessert case that had been prepared as part of a buffet dinner and alerted hotel staff.
But without realizing it, the anonymous and disgruntled hotel worker later returned to the kitchen pushing a cleaning cart used to remove dirty dishes.
The hotel receptionist and head of security alerted the 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.
It was later discovered that tests carried out on the affected food, separated from the rest and delivered to the police in a Tupperware container, were contaminated with the chemical, according to the Sur de Málaga newspaper.
The horrific incident emerged today when the respected media outlet said the hotel worker had been charged with a crime against public health.
She was ordered to appear in court after being warned that she could receive a three-year prison sentence if convicted.
The former hotel worker denies any wrongdoing and is expected to plead “not guilty” when she appears before a Malaga court.
The alleged poisoning attempt occurred shortly before 9:00 p.m. on May 31, 2023, but did not come to light today after confirmation that prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence for the accused woman.
She has been charged under article 365 of the Spanish Penal Code, which covers the deliberate poisoning of public water and food supplies, and carries a prison sentence of between two and six years.
Prosecutors accuse her of acting out of revenge after she was told earlier that day that her employment contract was not going to be renewed.
A pretrial indictment also references another incident five days earlier, on May 26, 2023, where prosecutors say the hotel worker poured bleach into a milk bottle at the establishment’s bar that was used by colleagues but not by guests.
The name of the hotel is expected to be revealed at trial when the woman is identified.
It was not immediately clear this morning when the trial would take place.