Crystal Palace dad banned from every Sainsbury's in UK after till row (From Croydon Guardian)

Crystal Palace dad banned from every Sainsbury's in UK after till row

9:40am Thursday 4th February 2010

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A Crystal Palace father is furious after being banned from shopping in every Sainsbury’s in the country.

Darren Gregg, 37, was shopping in the Crystal Palace branch when he went to pay at the checkout and became embroiled in an argument with the man behind the till.

After telling the man he just wanted to pay for his shopping and leave, Mr Gregg claimed the shop assistant made racist comments and called him ignorant.

Mr Gregg said: “The man behind the till said we are here to sit and serve. As I was second in the queue, I said ‘Who me, serve the person in front of me, I'm just here to buy and go’.

“He repeated the same thing a few times and added ‘we are all slaves, we are here to sit and serve, but you’re standing. I asked him to stop talking to me and told him that I found his comments offensive and he said to me, you’re ignorant, you need to read more.

“I was shocked and warned him that I would report him if he didn’t stop talking to me.”

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said police were called to the store after Mr Gregg assaulted a member of staff, which he denies.

A police spokeswoman said no action had been taken against Mr Gregg as no crime had been commited.

In a letter dated October 12, store manager Adam Bye said: “I confirm that the invitation to enter and shop at all Sainsbury’s stores is permanently withdrawn due to the incident which you were involved on September 12, 2009.

“Should you enter any of our premises, you will be treated as a trespasser and the police will be called as necessary.”

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: “Banning a customer is always a last resort and is not done lightly. This case has been reviewed by senior management and the ban has been upheld”

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