A round of applause and a tip of the hat…

Members of staff at a pub in Derby city centre have been praised for their quick actions after a man spiked the drinks of two women.

Steven Millward placed the white powder in the women’s glasses when they went to the toilet in The Standing Order back in February 2025.

One of the women then noticed the powder in her drink when she returned and took it to the bar. Bar staff suspected it had been placed there deliberately so immediately checked the CCTV and saw Millward carrying out the act.

@stuckinthemiddleem A round of applause and a tip of the hat… Members of staff at a pub in Derby city centre have been praised for their quick actions after a man spiked the drinks of two women. Steven Millward placed the white powder in the women’s glasses when they went to the toilet in The Standing Order back in February 2025. One of the women then noticed the powder in her drink when she returned and took it to the bar. Bar staff suspected it had been placed there deliberately so immediately checked the CCTV and saw Millward carrying out the act. In interview, he told officers that he thought the women had left the pub and he had poured what he thought was cocaine into the glasses to drink himself. However, the powder was later tested and not found to contain any controlled substance. The 38-year-old, of Maple Drive, Chellaston, has now been handed a seven-month prison sentence, suspended for 15 months after admitting attempting to unlawfully or maliciously administer a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy. #spikeddrinks #wetherspoons #derby #pubs #fyp ♬ original sound stuckinthemiddle

Police were called and he was arrested in the pub shortly after.

In interview, he told officers that he thought the women had left the pub and he had poured what he thought was cocaine into the glasses to drink himself. However, the powder was later tested and not found to contain any controlled substance.

The 38-year-old, of Maple Drive, Chellaston, has now been handed a seven-month prison sentence, suspended for 15 months after admitting attempting to unlawfully or maliciously administer a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

Speaking after Millward was sentenced at Derby Crown Court, Detective Constable James Tomlinson, who led the investigation, said: “I would like to commend the actions of the staff in the bar on this evening, their diligence prevented these women from coming to any harm, but the speed with which they identified the offence and suspect meant officers were able to attend immediately and arrest Millward.

“This was an excellent example of licensed premises looking out for their customers.”