Stowe School soup 'poisoned by porter'

Maxwell Cook denies trying to poison pupils and staff at the school

A trainee chef told a jury she saw a kitchen porter at a public school in Buckinghamshire pour drain unblocker into the pupils' carrot soup.

But Louise Samples said she "did not feel comfortable" reporting the incident at Stowe School in March 2010.

Maxwell Cook, 58, of Syresham, denies attempting to administer poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

Aylesbury Crown Court heard the soup was then tasted, prompting Miss Samples to speak, and no one was hurt.

The routine tasting meant the soup was not served at the £27,000-a-year school.

She said she did not feel comfortable to approach Mr Cook and the incident slipped her mind.

Rivalry claim denied

The soup would have had "detrimental effects" if consumed, prosecutor Robert Spencer-Bernard said.

"The intended victims were staff and students who might drink some carrot soup, which the allegation is he had laced with a sanitising destainer," he said.

Asked why she had not gone straight to the catering manager, Miss Samples said: "I was still processing what had happened.

"As a woman on my own in the kitchen, I didn't feel comfortable to approach (Cook.) I knew the chef would taste it before it was served.

"As a trainee I didn't feel I was in a strong enough position to approach Max at this time."

She denied any rivalry between her and the trainee chef who made the soup, or that she had added the drain unblocker to discredit him.

She also denied having any issues with Mr Cook.

The trial continues.