TORONTO

A Mississauga welding apprentice convicted of drugging a longtime platonic friend with GHB-laced wine was sentenced Tuesday to nine months’ imprisonment.

“He plied an unsuspecting close friend with GHB, a victim who was extremely vulnerable in the safety of her own home,” Justice John McMahon said as he passed sentence on Duilio “Nick” Franchino and gave him two years’ probation as well.

A jury convicted Franchino, 30, last November of administering a noxious substance against his 27-year-old friend on April 17, 2014.

After one glass of the GHB-laced Girls Night Out wine, the victim started vomiting and went to bed, where Franchino gave her a “salty-tasting” glass of water, which also had GHB, McMahon said.

“He betrayed the trust of a friend when he gave her wine laced with 22,000 times the amount of GHB normally in wine,” the judge added, explaining GHB is known as the date-rape drug for its ability to incapacitate its victim.

This high concentration of GHB could lead to illness, unconsciousness and death if consumed in larger quantities, court heard.

“While that was not his intention, putting this street-level drug into her wine could endanger her life or cause her bodily harm,” said McMahon.

Last year, a jury acquitted Franchino of the four remaining charges he faced, including molesting the woman in bed while masturbating beside her and administering the stupefying substance with intent to sexually assault her.

Franchino was alleged to have drugged the same woman with GHB on three occasions, starting on Family Day in February 2014, a few weeks later in March and again on April 17, 2014.

The woman’s identity is covered by a publication ban.

Franchino testified that he sold the woman marijuana and brought her alcohol, but denied putting GHB in her drinks at any time.

He told court he was framed by someone else who spiked the wine and he denied molesting her.

The victim testified that when she awoke in her bed, she discovered Franchino fondling her while gratifying himself.

When she confronted him, she said, he left without saying a word after pouring out her wine glass.

Franchino testified that prior to being charged in April 2014, he had never heard of GHB.

McMahon said Franchino, who had no prior convictions, has a supportive family and fiance, which bodes well for his chances at rehabilitation.

spazzano@postmedia.com