A High Wycombe man who poisoned another person by spiking their drink with morphine out of “spite and malice” has been jailed.

Marcus Taylor, 35, of Deeds Grove, has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment after it was discovered he had combined the drug with Jagermeister and offered it to a 31-year-old man without telling him of the contents.

Over two days in May last year, Taylor gave his victim the drinks and after suffering from significant effects days later, it was revealed that the Wycombe man had administered the hazardous substance.

Investigating officer, Det Sgt Michael Anderson from Force CID based at High Wycombe police station said: “This is a serious offence where it was only by luck that the victim did not suffer significant harm.

“Taylor doctored the Jagermeister with morphine out of spite and malice towards the victim and allowed him to consume it without any warning of its true contents.

“Taylor only avoided a more serious sentence due to mitigating circumstances of a serious back injury and his partner being pregnant.

“The offence of poisoning is an unusual and old offence (1861 legislation) and it is very rare in this day and age to investigate or in fact achieve a conviction for it.”

Taylor was charged on November 5, 2014, and was convicted on May 22, 2015, after a three day trial.

He was found guilty by majority verdict of one count of maliciously administering poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy any other person, Contrary to Section 24 Offences Against The Person Act 1861.

He only admitted the act days after the victim became ill. The matter was then brought to the attention of police, officers say.

The victim did not sustain any long term injuries.

Taylor was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100.

Meanwhile, a forfeiture and destruction order was made in respect of the bottle of Jagermeister.