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'Mercury coffee' dental boss had 'seizures', court told 'Mercury coffee' dental boss had 'seizures', court told
(31 minutes later)
A dental boss who was allegedly given a coffee laced with mercury by a nurse suffered from seizures three days afterwards, a trial has heard.A dental boss who was allegedly given a coffee laced with mercury by a nurse suffered from seizures three days afterwards, a trial has heard.
Ravinder Kaur, 34, of Ettrick Drive, Bedford, denies administering a poisonous or noxious substance with intent on 16 March 2012.Ravinder Kaur, 34, of Ettrick Drive, Bedford, denies administering a poisonous or noxious substance with intent on 16 March 2012.
Blackfriars Crown Court heard boss Laura Knowles went to hospital and lost consciousness after returning to work.Blackfriars Crown Court heard boss Laura Knowles went to hospital and lost consciousness after returning to work.
The 36-year-old said she also had bouts of dizziness, diarrhoea and vomiting.The 36-year-old said she also had bouts of dizziness, diarrhoea and vomiting.
The attack is alleged to have happened at the Shams Moopen Dental Practice in Shefford, Bedfordshire, after Ms Kaur was given a final written warning for her behaviour at work.The attack is alleged to have happened at the Shams Moopen Dental Practice in Shefford, Bedfordshire, after Ms Kaur was given a final written warning for her behaviour at work.
The prosecution claims Ms Kaur put mercury amalgam - a substance used in dental fillings - into a cup of coffee she made for Ms Knowles, but the defendant believes she was set up by colleagues. The prosecution claims Ms Kaur put mercury amalgam - a substance used in dental fillings - into a cup of coffee she made for practice manager Ms Knowles, but the defendant believes she was set up by colleagues.
After sipping the coffee Ms Knowles threw the rest in the sink, the court heard, leaving a grey sludge. Ms Knowles said it felt like she was having "severe period pains", but that her symptoms worsened. After sipping the coffee Ms Knowles threw the rest in the sink, the court heard, leaving a grey sludge. Ms Knowles said it felt like she was having "severe period pains", but her symptoms worsened.
'Affecting patients'
Ms Knowles said that over the weekend she had bouts of dizziness, diarrhoea and vomiting.Ms Knowles said that over the weekend she had bouts of dizziness, diarrhoea and vomiting.
On her return to work on Monday, Ms Knowles was sent to hospital after having a seizure - "the type people suffer when they have an epileptic fit", according to Rupert Bowers, defending. She also lost consciousness. On her return to work the following Monday, Ms Knowles was sent to hospital after having a seizure - "the type people suffer when they have an epileptic fit", according to Rupert Bowers, defending. She also lost consciousness.
Despite the pains and sickness, Ms Knowles said it was the hurt she felt which affected her most after the apparent attack, stating she was "distraught for the whole day and beyond". Ms Knowles stated the surgery at the time was "less than harmonious" and that Ms Kaur's relationship with a fellow nurse had "deteriorated so badly it was affecting patients coming into the surgery".
The court also heard Ms Knowles was spoken to by practice owner Dr Shams Moopen about a letter from a nurse complaining about Ms Knowles' "preferential treatment" of Ms Kaur.
But despite the discontent in the surgery, she said she thought she was on good terms with the defendant, saying, "I considered myself to be Ravi's friend and mentor."
Mr Bowers, defending, said a letter sent to Ms Kaur by Dr Moopen following a disciplinary meeting on 13 March - described as a final warning - was withdrawn by him on 29 March and he apologised.
The trial continues.The trial continues.