Leon Docwra had a lucky escape following a traumatic ordeal which saw him fall unconscious outside a city bar and wake hours later in hospital.

The 50-year-old, who runs at storage business in Great Yarmouth, was socialising with his wife and friends on Saturday night, March 14.

He was chatting with a bouncer outside a bar when he started "slurring" his words.

Great Yarmouth man Leon Docwra was taken to hospital after collapsing outside a bar in Norwich. (Image: Supplied)

The next thing Mr Docwra knew, he woke up in a bed in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), hooked up to machines and with his worried family sitting at his bedside.

Staff told him he had collapsed and fallen "completely unresponsive" for four hours before the bouncer took him to a medical tent where he was examined and then taken to hospital.

Paramedics examine Leon Docwra in a medical tent in Norwich city centre. (Image: Supplied)

Days later, Mr Docwra said: “It was terrifying. I've been in shock for the last few days."

Medical staff carried out a blood test which showed traces of an opiate-based drug.

Mr Docwra said he had a feeling about where his drink was spiked, but he did not want to name the bar as that would "not be fair on the owners and this is happening in Norwich in general".

"This would have been some sick individual, not the bar's fault," he added.

Mr Docwra said he normally enjoys going out and that he and his wife have a good social life.

"This has made me so much more vigilant. I never would think of covering my drinks before, but from now on, there's no chance that’ll be happening.

"I went into my office on Monday morning. I wanted to get back into a routine, but I sat in the office chair and burst out crying," he said.

Leon Docwra, 50, recovering in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital after his drink was spiked in a bar. (Image: Supplied)

Spiking is when someone adds alcohol or drugs to another person’s drink without their knowledge or consent.

In autumn 2021, Norwich saw a sharp rise in reported spiking cases, particularly around Prince of Wales Road and student nights, prompting a local boycott of city clubs and bars.

In response, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital developed specialist testing kits that can detect a wide range of drugs which were used in venues in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Gorleston, and later rolled out nationally.

Norfolk Police have also launched Project Vigilant, with uniformed and plain-clothes officers patrolling the night-time economy to identify predatory behaviour.

Anyone who thinks they or a friend have been spiked is urged to tell bar staff or door security immediately, seek urgent medical help, keep any remaining drink if possible, and report the incident to police as soon as they can.

Mr Docwra said he wants pubs and clubs to distribute more stickers and posters in venues to raise awareness about spiking.

He said he would also like to see customers given the option of being offered covers for their drinks.

© Eastern Daily Press