Students warned over binge drinking

by Sam Carter

Police have issued a stern warning to students in the city on the eve of the traditional May Ball Season.

Undergraduate drinking societies and organisers of graduation events have been warned against breaking the law, as there has been growing problems with students and their end-of-term antics at university.

Already this year, Nadia Witkowski, a 23-year-old classics finalist at Trinity College, was cautioned for assault after some hot jelly wrestling between herself and four other students.

Witkowski allegedly punched a student after being taunted and booed for performing poorly in the wrestling contest.

'Suicide Sunday'

The competition and garden party was organised by Wyverns drinking society at Magdalene College, as part of post-exam celebrations commonly known as 'Suicide Sunday'.

Pc Peter Sinclair, of Cambridgeshire police, has warned organisers that they will be in trouble if there anything untoward occurs, especially as new licensing rules aimed at students restricting binge drinking and £1 pint nights have recently been announced.

Classic drinking games such as the 'Dentist's chair', where students take turns to be held down and have alcohol poured into each other’s mouths, have been banned.

PC Sinclair said: "Clearly this is a time of celebration for students and a chance to let their hair down, but they need to be mindful of dangers of excessive consumption and the harm it can bring.

He added: "It is also worth noting for organisers of student events that the new mandatory conditions for licensed premises came into force on April 6.

"They deal with issues related to irresponsible promotion, such as drinking four pints and getting the fifth free.”