Baldwin's lawsuit alleges that prosecutors intentionally concealed evidence that would absolve the actor from blame and "sought at every turn to scapegoat" him to "maliciously bring about or advance" his trial and conviction.

"Their publication is not only extremely damaging but also grossly defamatory and indefensible... It would be hard to avoid a conclusion that they were made maliciously," the letter adds.

The government says the main legislation relevant to spiking is Section 24 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which includes maliciously administering poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy that person.

Phillip Adams, 26, and Patrick James, 22, were convicted by a jury at Bristol Crown Court on 27 September for conspiring to “unlawfully and maliciously” inflict grievous bodily harm to Katungua Tjitendero.

He is now expected to appear in a federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon to face a charge of maliciously damaging a building by means of explosive.