A DOORMAN who spiked a young woman's drink with a drug so she would submit to sex has been jailed for five years.

Michael Wright tipped the chemical into the victim's drink from a water bottle, saying it was vodka.

Shortly after, the woman collapsed unconscious and was taken to hospital, where she recovered.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Wright was found guilty of intentionally administering a substance that the body transforms into gamma-butyrolactone, knowing she did not consent, with the intention of stupefying or overpowering her to enable himself or another to engage in sexual activity with her.

The victim, who is in her 20s, met Wright, 36, of Eastgarth, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, while out with female friends in The Gate complex, in Newcastle, in April.

She and Wright, who she knew, went to a bar where he ordered two vodka and Cokes, then laced the drink.

At the sentencing hearing yesterday, Recorder Ben Nolan told him: "In my view, there must be a substantial prison sentence and the prison sentence must contain a deterrent element to demonstrate to those who are also minded to use this substance to pursue sexual advantage."

As well as the five-year jail term, he banned Wright from working as a doorman or behind a bar for ten years. He must also register as a sex offender for life.