A woman from Caerphilly with a mental disability was “made to look stupid” and ordered to leave Castle Bingo in Nantgarw.
Katie Clarke, 34, was at the bingo hall with her family on Boxing Day when she was evicted for not having a membership card.
However, Katie, who regularly visits the hall, was “screamed and shouted at” for 25 minutes by a member of staff, which left her “shaking like a leaf” and having a panic attack.
Katie’s sister, Aurial Clarke, who was with her when the incident happened, told Caerphilly Observer: “We’ve been going there for well over two years and it’s the first time anything like this has happened.
“They told us we could stay in and play bingo but Katie had to leave because she wasn’t playing and didn’t have a membership card.
“Katie has a curvature at the bottom of her spine and can’t walk very well unaided. There was no way we could have left her outside on her own – I’d trust my three-year-old son on his own more than I’d trust leaving Katie on her own.”
Aurial, 28, said that Castle Bingo offered her family a £30 discount as a gesture of goodwill after the incident, but said it did not make up for the ordeal.
“We don’t want discounts, we just want them to know they can’t go treating people like this.”
Aurial added: “My sister enjoys coming here. It’s a day out for her and she loves the atmosphere. She feels a part of something at bingo and she’s had that taken away from her. We won’t be taking her back after what’s happened to her.
“When something like this happens it can take a long time for her to get over it.
“She’s still struggling with the trauma. She was humiliated and was saying that she didn’t want to be disabled anymore.”
Katie has the mental age of a four-year-old and has been described by her family as “lovable, caring and always smiling”. However, since the Boxing Day humiliation, they have seen a change.
Aurial added: “She’s really down and doesn’t want to leave her house. She has been feeling sick and shaking. It’s not like her at all – her personality has completely gone.”
Castle Bingo have yet to reply to requests for comment from Caerphilly Observer.