A disabled woman has told how she was left feeling "mortified" after claiming she was mocked in a bar. Kia Little says staff at the pub laughed and told her she was "too drunk and wobbly".
She told how she "just walked out" after ordering her drinks at The Discovery pub in Middlesbrough when the staff began "making offensive comments". She said: "[They were] saying I was drunk, they were just laughing. My walking is terrible, I struggle to walk. They started to laugh and said 'you are far too drunk, you are all wobbly, you're all over the place'.
"I said 'I've got a spinal injury'. There were four of them, all stood behind the bar. I felt really intimidated. I'd popped in to kill a few minutes before getting the bus home."
The pub has since apologised. It added it "may have been an error of judgement".
Kia, 44, from Boosbeck, East Cleveland, says she "just walked out" after the "shocking" treatment she received after ordering her drink. "I was pretty disgusted," she said.
"I'm waiting for a serious operation, they're accusing me of all sorts and making a joke out of it. I don't think disability is a joke. I just didn't expect to be treated like that, it's not on."
"I just felt mortified, it's really upset me. Staff apologised in a message. They said they made a mistake, but that's no help afterwards is it?" she added.
"Even if I'd had a drink, they shouldn't have been like that. It was like a massive joke to them. I wouldn't go back if you paid me and I'll be telling everyone I know."
"I don't want this to happen to another disabled person," she continued. "I also have ADHD Asperger's so I want to make people aware of more hidden disabilities, which I think is also important."
Staff have "sincerely apologised" for the "misunderstanding" and for any distress caused, while venue owner Stonegate Group has said it takes "all allegations very seriously".
The pub messaged Kia admitting "on this occasion, it may have been an error of judgement". The message said: "We apologise for the misunderstanding and any distress this may have caused."
A spokesperson for The Discovery said: “We have fully investigated the complaint and have sincerely apologised to the customer for any misunderstanding and for any offence that was caused. We take all allegations very seriously."
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police confirmed the force had received a report of a hate crime and said "enquiries are ongoing".
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