A DIABETIC grandad has been barred from William Hill betting shops after a series of complaints were made against him injecting himself in public.

Type 1 diabetic Christopher Allen is insulin-dependent and regularly uses the William Hill’s betting shop in Long Wyre Street, Colchester.

But after a series of complaints were received about how indiscreetly Mr Allen was injecting himself with insulin, the bookies’ bosses have banned him from all their shops.

They say as a result of his barring, his behaviour has become “threatening”.

But retired Mr Allen, who admits to have challenged his ban, denies ever being threatening and there is no on going police investigation.

The 62-year-old former bank worker, of The Walk, in Eight Ash Green, admitted to not using the toilet cubicle to carry out injections but said he was always “as discreet as possible”.

He added: “I genuinely can’t believe the situation. The particular incident I believe there have been complaints over was after I had had a hypo and was really still recovering.”

Mr Allen, who also worked for a time in the Holiday Inn, in Eight Ash Green, says he had checked his insulin levels, which showed he needed to inject himself in his tummy.

He added: “I can sort of understand because I suppose, to people who don’t know what I’m doing, it might look like I’m doing drugs.

“But, of course, I’m not at all.

“It can be a matter of life and death for me.”

Mr Allen said although he enjoys betting, especially Lucky 15 bets, he is not a frequent customer.

He added: “I’d go there, I’d go to Ladbrokes, in St Christopher Road and elsewhere. I’m not always there.”

A William Hill spokesman said: “We do not and will not accept threatening or aggressive behaviour aimed at our colleagues and Mr Allen has been barred from the William Hill estate.”