A MAN on crutches who was refused help to shop at a supermarket because his girlfriend had been banned for shoplifting has now been banned himself.

Christopher Henman and Amy Rheeston tried to visit Sainsbury’s in Windermere Drive, Blackpole, Worcester, but were refused entry.

The pair, both aged 20, accepted the fact that Miss Rheeston had a shoplifting conviction and had been banned from the store – but say they were not offered any help for Mr Henman from a member of staff.

An argument ensued before Mr Henman was then also banned from the supermarket for being abusive.

Mr Henman, of Saddlers Walk, Blackpole, is recovering from a knee operation.

Miss Rheeston said she was convicted of shoplifting six months ago, when she was homeless and stole food because she was hungry. She said the way they were treated and spoken to was unacceptable.

She said: “I accept why I was banned from the store. But this was my first time trying to go there again and I apologised before asking if I could go in and help my partner do his shopping. He is on crutches and can’t do it on his own.

“The manager didn’t offer to get someone to help him but we pointed to the sign which said disabled people can be given help with their shopping. This caused a bit of an argument.

“The way we were spoken to and treated was appalling. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t help my partner when he was on crutches and unable to do it himself.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said all shoplifters were banned from the store for life, which is why Miss Rheeston was not allowed in to help her partner.

She said: “She asked if the ban could be lifted for the day to help her partner shop. This then erupted into an argument and the duty manager felt he needed to ban the customer.

“There is no way we would ever want to turn customers away but the lady was already banned and the gentlemen was abusive.”