A TEENAGER whose engagement celebrations were spoilt after her boyfriend was refused entry to a Worcester nightclub claims he was the victim of racial discrimination.
Nineteen-year-old Lizzie Facey and her boyfriend AJ Jaw were out in the city to mark the special occasion with friends on Sunday when the incident happened.
Lizzie, of Kilbury Drive, Spetchley, Worcester, said they had gone to the Jewel nightclub in Angel Place at about 10pm and she and one of her friends were allowed in with no problem.
However, AJ and his two other black friends from Birmingham had been asked for identification.
She said 24-year-old AJ had shown his driving licence, but was told to show some other identification and produced a bank card, but was told to try somewhere else.
Lizzie - a regular at the club - said they all decided to go elsewhere but that it had put a dampener on the evening.
She added: "My initial thought was it was quite embarrassing and I felt quite upset because it's my home town and I can't even bring my boyfriend and his mates out.
"It came straight into my head at first that they were obviously doing it because of his race.
"I can understand that they've got the right to refuse entry if they are drunk or disorderly, but AJ was wearing a smart top, no cap or trainers and he does not drink because he's Muslim."
The couple - who met each other three years ago - are now unsure whether they will return to the club and are now asking staff for an apology.
AJ, who came to the country as an orphan from the Gambia in 2002 and lives in Birmingham, said: "I felt a bit upset because I thought Worcester was meant to be a nice place to go out. I thought 'why are they doing this to us?' and that maybe it was because of our colour.
"I was quite annoyed because I'd asked my friends over from Birmingham."
The general manager of Jewel, Dean Hill, was not available for comment as the Worcester News went to press.
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