Alert as illicit vodka drinker falls ill

POLICE have issued a warning after a man was hospitalised after drinking illicit vodka.

The man, who is in his twenties, was found unconscious at a house in Goole after drinking home-made vodka which was between 50 and 60 per cent proof.

He spent two days in the intensive care unit at Doncaster General Hospital being treated for alcohol poisoning. It is thought the vodka is being made locally and being sold for as little as £7 per litre and police are now working with trading standards officials and public health officers to identify the source.

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Insp David Braysmith, of Humberside Police, said: “It is the first report of such illegal, cheap homemade vodka being sold in the area and as a result Goole residents may not be aware of the ingredients used, often found containing deadly industrial alcohol used in things like anti-freeze, rather than the controlled and filtered type used in licensed drinks.

“There’s a few signs to look out for, like crooked labels, different levels of liquid in the bottles and a strong smell like that of nail varnish remover.

“The rule is that if it smells like nail varnish remover, it could well be.”