Young woman fears she was spiked with needle while visiting Manchester's Christmas Markets

A 19-year-old woman fears she was spiked with a needle when visiting Manchester's Christmas Markets.

Anya Whitaker-Keating from Leeds, she had been looking forward to the trip to Manchester with her friend last Saturday (November 20). But after a few drinks, she says she completely blacked out. The next thing she remembers is waking up at her hotel the nextmorning feeling 'really drowsy'.

Anya says she noticed a 'pin prick' mark on the top of her leg and instantly feared she had been spiked by injection: "I was just at the Christmas Markets, I am from Leeds and got the train over with a friend at about 12 pm.

"We just had something to eat and went to the markets.

"We got a bottle of wine to share so I had about two glasses.

"Then through the day we just walked around, having something to eat and I had a couple of beers.

"It was really busy in the Christmas Markets when we were there.

"It got to about 4 or 5 o'clock and I started to feel a bit drowsy and that's the last thing that I can remember.

"We booked a hotel, but I don't remember going to it, I just remember waking up in the morning and I was sweating and did not know what happened.

"My friend told me that I was acting really really drunk and I assumed that I must have got spiked."

Anya, who works in sales, said that the pair didn't speak to anyone at the markets or go inside any pubs or bars. She says she had only had two glasses of wine and a few beers before she completely blacked out.

The following Monday, she spotted a small mark at the top of her leg and called doctors, who told her to go to A&E immediately. She was given a Hepatitis B jab and had her bloods taken, but the results have not yet come back.

Anya says doctors were unable to confirm whether she had been injected or not. Despite not feeling anything, Anya says it is 'clear what happened'.

She added: "I can just remember feeling really drowsy and I got really tired then when I woke up in the morning my limbs really ached.

"It's horrendous. I was really shocked as I've seen this happening to other people and I was just shocked that it happened.

"I'm fine now, but I was just a bit shaken.

"It's definitely made me more worried. I probably won't be going out again for a long time."

Earlier this month, students persuaded the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to launch a partnership to tackle drink spiking in the city.

It comes as more women across the city reported their fears that they had been targeted on nights out.

Manchester council confirmed it is working Greater Manchester Police following the report.

Councillor Pat Karney, the town hall's city centre spokesman, said:

"We are, of course, horrified to hear of this report.

"No one enjoying themselves at the Christmas Markets - or any venue in the city centre for that matter - should have their safety put at risk.

"We want our Christmas Markets to be a safe place and security are posted across each of the event spaces and are very visible.

"If you see anyone acting suspiciously or you are worried that you may have been spiked, please speak to a security guard and you will receive help.

"We will also be speaking to Greater Manchester Police and we will do anything we can to support their investigations."

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the incident has been reported and enquiries are ongoing.