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New Zealand Police v McMullan [2020] NZDC 18039

Published 25 July 2022

Judge-alone trial — poisoning with intent to annoy — drink-spiking — Ethasan — forensic evidence — transferred malice — Crimes Act 1961, ss 188 & 200(2). The defendant faced a charge of poisoning with intent to annoy. She was alleged to have deliberately put hand sanitiser in a water bottle belonging to the complainant, who was one of her workmates. Forensic evidence called by the prosecution was inconclusive. However having heard evidence from the complainant and two other witnesses, the Court found the charge proven beyond a reasonable doubt and found the defendant guilty. Judgment Date: 17 June 2020