A California man faces up to a year inside after being found guilty of two counts of misdemeanor battery for ejaculating into a colleague's water bottle.

Michael Kevin Lallana faces additional aggro after the jury backed a "sentencing enhancement allegation" that he committed said misdemeanours for "sexual gratification".

Lallana, 32, and the victim, ID'd as Tiffany G, worked together at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, NBC reports.

The victim testified that one Monday last year she took a swig from her waterbottle, having it left it at the office over the weekend. She apparently noticed a foul taste reminiscent of semen and disposed of it.

After the pair were moved to a different office she had a similar taste experience, and this time took the bottle for testing. Tests revealed the presence of semen, the firm opened an investigation and the police became involved.

Lallana admitted he'd added his fluids to the water, because "her lips had touched it" adding, "for me it's a release. I think about my wife." At the same time, he admitted, he found Tiffany attractive.

Lallana's attorney is pondering an appeal on the basis no crime was committed: "He committed an outrageous, egregious act, but to have battery, you have to have an application of force."

Tiffany apparently burst into tears after a verdict, prompting a sherriff's deputy to bring her tissues. ®