Man who asked for a glass of water at pub to swallow his medication is 'told to pay £1 for a bottle or leave before barmaid swipes at his phone'

A man with a medical condition who wanted a glass of tap water to swallow his tablets claims he was told by bar staff to leave a pub beca...

A man with a medical condition who wanted a glass of tap water to swallow his tablets claims he was told by bar staff to leave a pub because he refused to pay £1 for a bottle instead.

Footage from the incident, which police are now investigating, shows Jonathan White, 25, asking a female bartender for a glass of tap water in the Clock Hotel pub, in Hebburn, North Tyneside, to swallow his antidepressant medication.

Mr White,  a member of cabin crew staff, was out with his friend Shaun - and claims the blonde barmaid told him to either pay £1 for the water or leave.

In the video, Mr White repeatedly asks if she is refusing him water 'even though I've got a medical condition' [depression], at the pub, at 9.45pm on June 15.

The barmaid can be heard saying: 'If you've got a medical condition, you've got to go home.'

After Mr White insists that he needs water to take his antidepressants, she then says 'you can tape us as much as you like' before appearing to swipe at his phone.

Mr White was 'shocked and upset, and already vulnerable' - and immediately reported the incident to the police.

He said: 'I was anxious and scared. She wasn't supposed to be charging us anyway for tap water. When I raised this with her, she made me feel really vulnerable.

'I was made to feel stupid and insecure around her. Shaun thought she was nasty. I even told her that I'd bought two pints, and then she hit me.

'I couldn't see why she wouldn't just pour me a glass of water for my medication.'

Mr White said he was surprised he was being charged £1 for tap water, and claims that he brought only two pints' worth of cash with him.

He said he doesn't own a contactless debit card, and his American Express card wasn't working.

Northumbria Police has asked anyone with information to get in touch. 

A police spokesperson said: 'Shortly before 10pm, June 15, police received a report of an assault at the Clock Hotel, Hebburn.

'Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact police by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1217 15/06/19.'