A restaurateur facing allegations of drugging a woman’s drink at the exclusive Annabel’s private club in central London reportedly warned her days in advance about the risk of having her drink “spiked,” according to testimony in court.

Vikas Nath, 63, is accused of using a straw to introduce gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) into the woman’s spicy margarita while they were in the Mayfair club’s rooftop garden on January 15, 2024.

Although Nath acknowledges that he tampered with the drink, he claims his intention was to help the woman “relax” rather than to facilitate a sexual encounter.

During the proceedings at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, the alleged victim stated that she felt “betrayed” by Nath.

She mentioned that she had met Nath approximately six times prior to the January incident, with most gatherings taking place over lunch at locations such as the luxurious Beaverbrook Town House and Nath’s Michelin-star restaurant, Benares.

Following one of their meetups, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recounted how Nath cautioned her about the dangers of drink spiking, narrating to the jurors: “I distinctly remember him warning me and my friend about the possibility of drinks being tampered with.”

The trial revealed that Nath and the woman had visited Annabel’s together on January 10, 2024, after which she described a subsequent visit to an establishment called Cirque Le Soir, noting “there were half-naked ladies there.”

The following morning, the woman texted Nath, stating, “I don’t think I will be drinking today,” to which Nath replied: “I think you should drink, but be mindful of those around you. My main worry last night was that someone might spike your drink.”

The woman testified that Nath would often sample drinks using “a little straw” during their outings.

She described this habit by saying, “I found it quite odd how he would use a straw to taste the drinks.

“He asserted it was of top quality; he’d test it with a straw before drinking himself. I eventually got used to seeing him do that.”

Jurors were informed that on January 15, staff at Annabel’s witnessed Nath putting a straw into a small bottle of Madagascan vanilla extract he had taken from his pocket, drawing liquid and then adding it to the margarita.

Before the woman could consume the drink, staff managed to replace it with an untainted one, while Nath disposed of the GBL bottle in a toilet cistern as police were arriving, as per court statements.

The woman, a member of Annabel’s since turning 18, recounted that before she went back to her table, a staff member expressed concerns that Nath had possibly contaminated her drink.

Initially skeptical, the woman testified she did not believe her drink had been tampered with.

“I vividly remember defending Mr. Nath, insisting, ‘There’s no way he could do such a thing,'” she recounted.

She added, “I even sent him a message saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not sure what’s happening.’ I felt responsible.

“I didn’t want him to get in trouble, as I didn’t believe anything had happened.”

The woman revealed that she met Nath while navigating a divorce and experiencing familial upheaval, going through a “significant falling out with my father.”

When recalling their first encounter, she shared, “He graciously invited me out for a drink. He appeared genuinely concerned for my well-being and living situation.”

During that initial meeting, Nath presented her and her friend with a bottle of Jo Malone perfume, remarking that “it was what his mother enjoys.”

She indicated that Nath consistently covered their lunch expenses, remarking on his generosity at the time since she was not employed.

Reflecting on their relationship, she stated, “He seemed to genuinely care for me, which was pleasant. I never felt he would make a move on me, so I felt secure around him.

“He never mentioned anything of a sexual nature.”

When the defense inquired whether she had informed Nath about her boyfriend, she replied, “He knew. I didn’t talk about him frequently, but he was aware.”

Looking back on her interactions with Nath before January 15, 2024, she conveyed, “We typically air-kissed; nothing ever felt inappropriate.”

Nath has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to administer a substance with intent and possession of a Class B drug.

The trial proceeds.