2:00pm Tuesday 31st March 2009
By Emily-Ann Elliott
A pregnant woman was ordered out of a pub after pub staff saw her sipping beer.
Caroline Williams, who is 23 weeks pregnant, said she felt humiliated after being told to leave the Sussex Cricketer pub in Eaton Road, Hove.
The 26-year-old, who lives in the same road, had visited the pub on a rare night out to meet friends.
She had drunk one pint of lager when the pub's assistant manager refused to serve her friend a half pint which he was trying to buy for her.
And when she took a sip from a friend's glass, bar staff demanded that she leave.
Mrs Williams said: "The manageress said she was going to have to ask me and my friends to leave.
"I've never felt so singled out and humiliated in my life.
"I don't drink a great deal even when not pregnant.
"I have never been removed from any establishment before and I'm not one to cause a scene, so I left when asked."
Mrs Williams said the other members of her group were quiet professionals, the youngest of whom was 44.
She said: "I know the manager reserves the right to refuse anyone service without needing to give them a reason, but it is not illegal for a pregnant woman to purchase alcohol unless she is under age.
"I wasn't putting any other customers or staff in any danger or causing a threat.
"She was using her right to refuse me alcohol to exercise her own personal opinions and prejudices.
"I don't wish for anyone in my position to be treated like this again, with the same force and attitude as that required for drunk and disorderly customers, or underage law-breakers."
An assistant manager at the pub confirmed she had asked the group to leave on Saturday night.
She said: "My concern was that she was going to keep drinking and that it may be a concern for me if she was drunk on the premises.
"She was a heavily pregnant lady drinking alcohol.
"It is not my place to say what s morally right and wrong but my duty is for the safety of my guests.
"I asked them to leave because I didn t want her friends buying drinks for her and something happening to her or her unborn baby."
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