A DESPERATE pensioner with bladder cancer was banned from Asda after breaking lockdown rules to use the store’s toilet.
Graham Dunn, 76, is now banned from the branch in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent following the incident.
The grandfather, who due to his illness needs to relieve himself every 15 minutes, claims he was told to wait in line for half an hour after he had missed the OAP shopping slot.
After waiting in the line earlier this week, he claimed that he became so desperate for the toilet by the time he neared the front of the queue that he had to defy social distancing rules to dash to the loo.
Once he emerged from the toilets, he claims as he had to exit through the aisles he decided to do his shopping, but was soon met by four security guards and a member of staff who all demanded that he left the store immediately.
The grandad-of-15 from Stoke said: “The previous four Mondays I had been to Asda and there had been a queue, but usually pensioners are allowed to go ahead of it.
“On this particular day, I had got there at about 9.30 am because the post office doesn’t open until 9 am and I had to go there first.”
Mr Dunn said that security threatened to call the police if he didn’t leave the store.
“I felt terrible. I was upset all day when it happened and had nothing to eat. I was just shaking. I don’t feel anyone listened to my side of the story.”
I felt terrible. I was upset all day when it happened and had nothing to eat. I was just shaking. I don’t feel anyone listened to my side of the story.
Graham Dunn
He admitted that he had previous dealings with a member of staff at the store, but disputes Asda’s version of ‘past incidents’ involving him.
He added: “I’ve had a chat with him before over cakes which were out of date by one day. I have been told they have body-cam footage of me swearing but I did not swear. I have asked to see the footage and if I did swear then I will apologise.”
Asda confirmed that Graham is banned from the store.
A spokesperson for Asda said: “We do not tolerate any form of abuse or violence towards colleagues or customers which is why this customer has now been banned from our store.
“Banning customers is always a last resort. However, given the nature of this, and past incidents involving this customer, we feel this decision was necessary on this occasion.”
