Alexander Hilton who spiked classmate's wine with antifreeze jailed

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American student at St Andrew's University who spiked his classmate's wine with antifreeze is jailed for three years over the 'wicked and deceitful' crime

Student Alexander Hilton spiked Robert Forbes' red wine with methanol
Victim temporarily lost his vision after incident at St Andrews University
Mr Forbes has recovered and Hilton has now been jailed for three years

Published: 13:14 EST, 17 July 2015 | Updated: 14:39 EST, 17 July 2015

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Alexander Hilton (pictured), 24, encouraged fellow US national Robert Forbes to drink the wine which he had spiked with methanol on the evening of a ball for students at St Andrews University in Fife

An American student at St Andrew's University who poisoned a fellow classmate by lacing a bottle of red wine with solvent has been jailed for three years for the 'wicked and deceitful' crime.

Alexander Hilton, now 24, encouraged fellow US national Robert Forbes to drink the wine containing methanol on the evening of a ball for students at the university in Fife.

Mr Forbes required kidney dialysis after the incident in March 2011 and was left temporarily blind following the incident.

Hilton admitted a charge of assaulting him to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life.

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, judge Lord Burns sentenced him to three years in jail.

He 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 court heard Hilton, of Princeton, Massachusetts, had been diagnosed with a mental illness shortly 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, a doctor said.

Lord Burns said the seriousness of the offence and the fact that 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 (pictured) required kidney dialysis after the incident in March 2011 and was left temporarily blind

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 May 7 this year.

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 had been organised for students living in the New Hall halls of residence on Saturday March 5, 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.

Hilton was in his second year studying economics and computing at St Andrews (pictured) when he targeted Mr Forbes, who was in the year below studying economics, history and philosophy

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 March 8, 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'.

This was a wicked and deceitful act and it could have had fatal consequences

- Judge Lord Burns

Mr Forbes launched civil proceedings against first time offender Hilton and his family, who settled out of court.

Defence counsel John Scott said it had been suggested that his parents were at fault for allowing their only son, with his history of mental illness, to come to Scotland to study.

Mr Scott told the judge: 'The proceedings were settled by Mr Hilton's parents. The documents disclose a five-figure sum was paid.

'A settlement was arrived at and some compensation has been paid to Mr Forbes.'

The court heard that there was a history of mental illness in Hilton's family and his parents sought help when he showed signs of being unwell at the end of 2010, when he appeared to have been 'overwhelmed' by his time in Scotland.

They had thought a period of study abroad would be good for him, and that he was ready for it, Mr Scott said.

Lord Burns heard that authorities in the US, where Hilton returned after the crime, subjected him to a 'gunpoint arrest' in April when leaving a counselling session.

He had resisted deportation amid fears for his mental health and the continuation of his treatment, Mr Scott said.

The lawyer argued against jail, saying his condition had deteriorated during two previous spells in custody in relation to the offence, and recommended deferring sentence for another year.

The court heard Hilton was now well thanks to ongoing treatment and care, and had begun studies at a college in New Mexico where he hoped to return in the autumn of next year.