STEPHANIE Couldry has Down’s syndrome and, as we reveal today, has been banned from visiting the Morrisons supermarket in Haydon Wick unaccompanied.

Store bosses say there have been occasions on which she was discovered leaving the store after failing to scan her items at the self-checkout correctly.

There have also apparently been customer complaints that Stephanie drove her mobility scooter too quickly.

There is absolutely no evidence that the restrictions were imposed on Stephanie in a spirit of malice or prejudice against people with learning disabilities.

There is, however, abundant evidence that certain elements of the store’s management hierarchy are guilty of monumental foolishness and insensitivity.

Stephanie is hardly the first person to struggle at a self-checkout. Many of us have had to summon help after fruitlessly swiping an item over the scanner, or on being told by an electronic voice that something is amiss with a bag. That is why self-checkout areas are generally staffed.

Would it not have been possible for a member of staff to watch Stephanie and offer assistance during her few minutes at the checkout?

Would it not have been possible for a member of staff to have gently pointed out to Stephanie that she should keep an eye on the speed of her scooter if she was indeed travelling too rapidly?

Adopting such measures would have helped Stephanie maintain the independence which is her achievement and the dignity which is the right of us all