A dad with facial paralysis says he felt like a criminal when McDonald’s workers called the police on him because they thought he was drunk.
Craig Brown, 46, was left stunned as an “overwhelming” number of police vans pulled up to the drive-thru as he waited almost an hour for food.
He had paid for two chicken sandwiches with mayonnaise, a burger and three hot chocolates when six officers ordered him from his car around 1 a.m. last Sunday.
Craig Brown, 46, was left stunned as an “overwhelming” number of police vans pulled up to the drive-thru as he waited almost an hour for food. Emma Trimble/SWNS
Fast food workers at Blackpole in Worcester called police on suspicion the dad-of-five was drunk and smoking marijuana.
However, tests confirmed that he was completely sober, and then – to make matters worse – McDonald’s served him food that was now bone cold.
Craig was previously diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which causes one side of his face to droop at times, and believes staff mistook his condition for being drunk.
He said he joked with cashiers that he “needed a hotel” because of the 45-minute wait time, but said he was not acting intoxicated or slurring his words.
Fast food workers at Blackpole in Worcester called police on suspicion the dad-of-five was drunk and smoking marijuana. Craig Brown/SWNS
The self-employed electrician claimed he was suddenly told to wait in a parking space while he was with a friend, where they remained until police arrived 10 minutes later.
Craig, from Worcester, said: “It was a really tough ordeal. I was shocked to see the police arrive with their blue lights on.
“I saw one van and then two others came. It was a shocking experience. I didn’t think they would come for me.
“I’m not an anxious type of guy. But there comes a moment when you pass the intercom, order food and wait for 40 minutes.
“We went to the window, they offered us hot chocolate and asked us to park in the bay. I guess I jokingly asked them, “Should I book a hotel?”
“They said, ‘sorry we turned off the screens,’ so I guess they lied to me until the police arrived.
“I wasn’t slurring my words, I wasn’t drunk. When someone is under the influence of drugs, you can tell immediately, and that wasn’t my style.
“Then the police came, stopped and drove away straight away. They were looking for license plates, but I didn’t think it was for me.
Craig said he was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy several years ago, which caused one side of his face to droop and may have caused his disorientation. Craig Brown/SWNS
“I was shocked and really in disbelief when I was accused of being drunk and taking drugs.
“I don’t do drugs and rarely drink, so I was surprised.
“People were watching me, I drive this van all the time. This is in my name. It made me feel like a criminal.
“They forced me to take a breathalyzer test. I told them I would get a zero.
“When the police finished with me, we got food, but it was cold. They didn’t offer me a replacement meal or anything.
“I understand they have a responsibility if someone was in the store drunk or backing into a car, but they had no evidence that I had been drinking or taking drugs.”
Craig said he was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy several years ago, which caused one side of his face to droop and may have caused his disorientation.
Craig, from Worcester, said: “It was a really tough ordeal. I was shocked to see the police arrive with their blue lights on. Craig Brown/SWNS
He added: “I have Bell’s palsy so one side of my face is slightly droopy, but other than that you definitely know when someone is drunk.
“Maybe my face was down to one side, I don’t know. Maybe that was the reason, but it’s still bad.
“Why did six policemen also come, they blew it out of proportion. One of them appeared on a flashing blue light.
“When I saw the van with the blue light I thought something was starting, so it was a shock. You just can’t assume I’m taking drugs.
“It was intimidating – you don’t need three vans and six officers. I don’t know what right McDonald’s has to call the police.
“If they had seen me leaving the pub across the road and turning, I would have understood, but they didn’t.
“It’s disgusting to think about how much money I spent there and how they treated me. I will definitely think twice about coming back.”
A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “At McDonald’s, we are committed to being a responsible neighbor and contributing to the safety and well-being of the communities we serve.
“It appears that in this case, while our team’s intentions were good, their judgment was incorrect and for that we would like to apologize to the customer.
“However, it is important to emphasize that our focus remains on the safety of our local communities.”
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: “Officers were called to McDonald’s in Blackpole Retail Park at around 1.10am on Sunday, October 6 to a report of a driver who may have been under the influence of alcohol.
“Upon arrival, officers located the driver, who passed a breathalyzer test and no further police action was required.”
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