Costa del Sol tourist poisoning scandal as disgruntled hotel worker faces jail ‘for pouring bleach over buffet dinner out of revenge for losing her job’

A Spanish hotel worker faces jail after allegedly pouring bleach on a dinner buffet in revenge for losing her job.

Police and prosecutors have said the 50-year-old woman was told her contract at the Costa del Sol hotel would not be renewed before she committed the brutal act.

Fortunately, two guests caught her suspiciously pouring a yellowish liquid over a tray of fruit and yogurt in a glass dessert display case, which had been prepared as part of an evening buffet, and alerted hotel staff.

But none the wiser, the unnamed and disgruntled hotel employee then returned to the kitchen and pushed a cleaning cart removing dirty dishes.

The hotel receptionist and head of security alerted police after demanding an explanation from the waitress, who denied any wrongdoing when confronted.

They allegedly handed over two bottles of dish soap containing bleach when investigators arrived.

Tests on the affected food, separated from the rest and handed over to police in a Tupperware container, were later found to be contaminated with the chemical, according to Malagan’s Sur newspaper.

The horror incident emerged today as respected media said the hotel worker had been charged with a crime against public health.

She is to stand trial after being warned she could face a three-year prison sentence if convicted.

The former hotel worker denies all allegations and is expected to enter a ‘not guilty’ plea when she appears in court in Malaga.

The alleged poisoning attempt took place just before 9pm on May 31, 2023, but only came to light today after confirmation that prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence for the accused woman.

She has been charged under Article 365 of the Spanish Criminal Code, which concerns the intentional poisoning of public water supplies and food, and carries a prison sentence of two to six years.

Prosecutors accuse her of acting out of revenge after she was told earlier the same day that her employment contract would not be renewed.

A pretrial indictment also points to another incident five days earlier, on May 26, 2023, in which prosecutors say the hotel employee poured bleach into a bottle of milk in the establishment’s bar, which was used by coworkers but not guests.

The name of the hotel is expected to be revealed at trial, when the woman will be identified.

It was not immediately clear this morning when the trial would take place.