A man with facial palsy was mistaken for being drunk by McDonald’s staff, leading to police being called on him at a drive-thru in Blackpole, Worcester.
Craig Brown, 46, had a surprising encounter when an ‘overwhelming’ number of police vans arrived at the drive-thru as he waited almost an hour for his order.
Despite having paid for his food, which included two chicken mayo sandwiches, a burger, and three hot chocolates, Craig was ordered out of his car by six officers at around 1 a.m. last Sunday.
McDonald’s staff had called the police believing Craig was drunk and had been smoking cannabis, but tests proved he was completely sober. To make matters worse, when Craig was cleared by the police, McDonald’s handed him his cold food.
Craig, who was previously diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy which causes one side of his face to droop, believes that the staff mistook his condition for being intoxicated.
He stated that he had joked with the cashiers about needing a hotel due to the long wait, but he claims he was not acting drunk or slurring his words in any way.
Craig, a self-employed electrician, said he was told to wait in a parking bay with a friend until the police arrived 10 minutes later.
He expressed his shock at the situation, stating, “It was a bit of an ordeal really, it shocked me when I saw the police arrive with their blue lights on.”
“I wasn’t slurring my words, I wasn’t drunk. You can tell straight away when someone is on drugs, and that wasn’t anything like me,” he added.
After being accused of being drunk and taking drugs, Craig was made to do a breathalyzer test which he passed. However, he was disappointed that McDonald’s did not offer him a replacement meal for the inconvenience.
Craig’s Bell’s Palsy, which causes one side of his face to droop, may have been the cause of the confusion. He emphasized that his condition should not have led to assumptions of intoxication.
He expressed his disappointment with the way he was treated, stating, “It’s disgusting thinking about how much money I spend there and the way they have treated me. I’ll certainly think twice about returning.”
In response to the incident, a McDonald’s spokesperson apologized for the incorrect judgment of their team and emphasized their focus on the safety of the community.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police confirmed that no further action was required after Craig passed the breathalyzer test.
