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A drugstore worker who sickened 44 members of a Connecticut church with spiked grape juice in 2006 was spared jail time when parishioners asked the judge to show mercy. The man had pleaded guilty to pouring dish soap into several bottles of grape juice while at work.

Wendell Woodroffe, 29, had worked at the drugstore since 1998 and said he was upset with his bosses because he was still stocking shelves. He confessed to spiking the juice when traces of his DNA were found on three bottles.

Parishioners were served the tainted juice on February 5, 2006, and 44 people became sick. The main injuries reported were nausea, vomiting, and burning in the throat. Half of those injured were senior citizens.

Woodroffe faced a maximum five-year prison sentence but received five years probation instead.

“I'm glad he received probation. We did not want to see this young man's life ruined by this,” said Reverend Anthony Gibson.

Phillip Russell, attorney for Woodroffe, argued that his client had developmental problems and was unable to understand the gravity of his actions.

“It was a foolish thing for him to do, but we're just thankful no one was seriously injured,” said Gibson.

(Source: Associated Press)

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