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Student Alexander Hilton jailed for poisoning classmate by lacing wine Student Alexander Hilton jailed for poisoning classmate by lacing wine
(35 minutes later)
An American student who poisoned a fellow St Andrews University classmate by lacing a bottle of wine with solvent has been jailed for three years.An American student who poisoned a fellow St Andrews University classmate by lacing a bottle of wine with solvent has been jailed for three years.
Alexander Hilton, 24, encouraged Robert Forbes to drink the wine containing methanol before a ball in Fife.Alexander Hilton, 24, encouraged Robert Forbes to drink the wine containing methanol before a ball in Fife.
Mr Forbes needed kidney dialysis after the incident in March 2011 and was left temporarily blind.Mr Forbes needed kidney dialysis after the incident in March 2011 and was left temporarily blind.
Hilton admitted assaulting him to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life.Hilton admitted assaulting him to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life.
Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lord Burns told Hilton: "This was a wicked and deceitful act and it could have had fatal consequences."Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh, judge Lord Burns told Hilton: "This was a wicked and deceitful act and it could have had fatal consequences."
The judge said Mr Forbes "has been left with the agonising prospect of going blind in the future".The judge said Mr Forbes "has been left with the agonising prospect of going blind in the future".
The court heard Hilton, from Princeton, Massachusetts, had been diagnosed with a mental illness before spiking Mr Forbes's drink, and one doctor concluded this condition was "the substantial cause" of his actions.
At the time of the crime he had stopped taking some of his prescribed medication and was using alcohol and illegal drugs, which when combined brought on a psychotic illness, doctors said.
Lord Burns said the seriousness of the offence and the fact Hilton's own actions had contributed to his poor mental state meant he could not avoid jail.
The judge said: "I must have due regard to the public interest in marking the gravity of this offence.
"I have concluded after careful consideration that a custodial sentence must be imposed in this case."
Hilton, now the subject of a deportation order, was accompanied in court by his parents.
Mr Forbes, who suffered lethargy, headaches and the complete loss of his vision for a period after the incident, also attended the hearing but gave no comment on the sentence.
Hilton appeared before the High Court last month - more than four years on from the crime - after being extradited from the US on 7 May 2015.
He was in his second year studying economics and computing at St Andrews when he targeted Mr Forbes, who was in the year below studying economics, history and philosophy.
A ball was organised for students living in the New Hall halls of residence on Saturday 5 March 2011, and Mr Forbes began the evening having drinks with his friends in his room.
Hilton arrived with two bottles of wine and handed one to him, telling him it was a gift.
Mr Forbes noticed the seal on the screw top was broken but took two large gulps and found it had a bitter taste, commenting to friends how "foul tasting" it was.
He started feeling sick and fell asleep on the bus to the function, which he said he had only a "hazy" recollection of.
Mr Forbes woke on the Sunday evening with a severe headache, joint pain and blurred vision, and two days later could barely see.
He was admitted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on 8 March, where tests showed he was suffering from the effects of methanol poisoning.
The court heard how the victim was given whisky as part of his treatment in hospital to help counter the effects of the toxin.
Methanol is used commercially as a solvent, especially in paints and varnishes, and is a constituent of some antifreeze solutions.
Hilton, who bought a measuring jug and funnel to spike the wine, was interviewed under caution but denied knowing that Mr Forbes had been poisoned.
Mr Forbes, 24, suffered no permanent damage to his kidneys and was able to complete his degree, which Lord Burns said was "testament to his fortitude".