Pregnant woman with two small children denied access to a toilet despite desperate pleas feels she was racially profiled.

Poor mum eight months pregnant pleaded with shops staff to let her use the toilet and was left feeling humiliated.

A Rainham mum was denied access to the use of a toilet despite repeatedly pleading with the shop manager to let her use the facilities and was left feeling ‘utterly humiliated.’

Juanita visited the H&M store in Romford over the weekend with her two small children, one aged three and the aged one. Whilst in the store, the Rainham mum realised she had to use the toilet and approached a member of staff to see if they could let her use the facilities.

She told the Havering Daily: “I asked the staff member if I could please use the toilet and they declined and called the manager. I was quite desperate and said I was happy to be escorted by a staff member and leave my stuff behind so they could clearly see that I had no intention of stealing anything.

“Whilst I was left standing there and waiting for the manager, I began calling H&M customer service on the phone to seek their advice. They informed me that I should be allowed to use the toilet facilities.

“The manager then came out and I asked her, pleaded with her to please let me use the toilet. I let her know that I had contacted their customer service and that I should be able to have access to the toilet. She said that as the manager of the store it was her decision and she was not going to let me use the toilet. She could see I am pregnant and that I was clearly distressed. At this stage I was so upset I started to feel unwell and began crying. My son then started to get upset seeing me crying and was also upset.

“The store guard then approached me saying that there was a security box nearby so I would not be able to use the toilet. I said I was happy to be escorted and leave my bag behind, all I needed was to use the toilet as quickly as possible, but they kept saying no. At this point I started to feel that I was being racially profiled as a black woman.

“I then asked them where the nearest toilet was as I was so desperate and sadly I did not make it in time.I then had to go and buy a new pair of leggings and change into them.”

“I have never had this situation before. Every time I shop in stores like Superdrug or others, I am always allowed to use the toilet facilities. I really feel that I was profiled as a black woman.”

This experience was appalling and completely humiliating for Juanita that left her in utter tears in front of her children who were asking why she was crying. She is an eight months pregnant lady that should not have to plead to use a toilet and she definitely should not be made to feel that she was being profiled as black lady.

“It was so degrading for me. I was so upset. All I needed was to use the toilet and instead I was left standing there whilst different staff members came out to talk to me, I started feeling unwell and faint. My children were then upset seeing me cry and no one would let me access the toilet.”

The Havering Daily contacted H&M for a comment but none was offered at this stage.