A man has claimed he soiled himself whilst attempting to purchase a train ticket in Dundee because station staff denied him access to a toilet.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferer Paddy Jenkins, 50, who now lives in Livingston, was heading home last Sunday after a night out in Dundee when he quickly realised that he needed to use the toilet.
Paddy insists he informed the ticket clerk working behind the counter of his condition and made it clear that he had to get to a toilet urgently.
The 50-year-old claims he was told by the clerk that he would have to wait for a separate staff member.
Delayed in accessing a toilet, Paddy was forced to soil himself.
The ordeal has left Paddy convinced IBS sufferers should be given cards similar to those carried by diabetics, informing members of the public of their condition.
He feels this would allow more sufferers to be granted access to public bathrooms in times of emergency.
Speaking to The Courier, Paddy said: “It’s just been an embarrassment. It came on all of a sudden, so I told the guy at the ticket desk that I have IBS and that I needed to use the toilet.
“He told me he couldn’t help and that I had to wait for the guy at the gate to come over.
“I offered to leave my credit card with him, but he said he couldn’t help.
“By the time I got to the toilet it was far, far too late. I had to phone my brother to get him to bring round a change of clothes.
“Maybe one day the guy in the station will have IBS and then he’ll realise what it’s like. But I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
Paddy fears more people suffering from IBS will suffer a similar experience unless society begins to understand the severity of the condition.
He explained: “I’ve had IBS for a few years now. I can feel fine all day and then all of a sudden it just starts.
“When it does, there’s no controlling it. I think if someone has the condition then they should carry a card or something which explains you have IBS.
“If you have that then it should mean they need to let you use the toilet in any premises.”
A spokeswoman for ScotRail said: “The customer has not contacted us. As is right and proper, ScotRail will be happy to respond to him directly if he were to get in touch.”