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Wounded Iraq veterans driven out of public pool when told they might scare children
Last updated at 00:22am on 24.11.07Soldiers who suffered appalling injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan were verbally abused as they swam in a public swimming pool.
During a weekly rehabilitation class at a council leisure centre, 15 servicemen – including several who have lost limbs or suffered severe burns – were heckled and jeered by members of the public.
One woman was so incensed that the troops were using the pool at Leatherhead Leisure Centre in Surrey that she told them they did not deserve to be there.
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Thankless: Veterans who risked their lives for their country have been jeered out of a public swimming pool because of their injuries. Prince Charles is pictured here meeting other injured soldiers
She became increasingly abusive, screaming that it was wrong for staff to rope off a lane exclusively for the injured personnel from the nearby Headley Court rehabilitation centre.
The swimmer, thought to be in her 30s, is understood to have said: "I pay to come here and swim – you lot don't."
The abuse was witnessed by 79-year-old Korean War veteran Charles Murrin, who said yesterday: "I could not believe what she was saying.
"The lane was roped off, which they do every week. It wasn't as if the pool was completely closed. Her group had the rest of the pool to swim in.
"She said the men do not deserve to be in there and that she pays money to come in the pool and they don't."
Leatherhead Leisure Centre
The soldiers, who use the pool as part of a water therapy course, were quickly ordered out by their instructor to avoid further embarrassment.
Mr Murrin, who served in the Royal Navy, added: "I spoke to the instructor in the changing room afterwards and he was livid.
"I know what these people are going through, because I talk to them and I have got quite friendly with them."
Linda Sinclair, of Leatherhead, also witnessed the abuse.
She said:"It was a few people that were complaining and it made me cross. I really felt for those soldiers."
The incident, which took place on November 13, came as a national appeal was launched to raise £5million to build a new rehabilitation pool and gym at Headley Court.
The centre treats 180 injured servicemen who have to make a half-hour trip to Leatherhead to use the pool.
Last night, Conservative MP Patrick Mercer, a former infantry commander, told of his dismay at the incident.
He said: "It may well be that these people had paid for the use of the pool, but our soldiers have paid so much more for their country."
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are disappointed that a small number of people objected to the closure of swimming lanes so that patients of Headley Court could use them."
A spokesman for Mole Valley District Council, which owns the leisure centre, said: "There appears to have been a rare incident where two members of the public queried the provision of lanes of the swimming pool for Headley Court.
"While we wouldn't condone what happened, staff did their best to accommodate all concerned and acted professionally in dealing with the situation."
Reader views (23)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
This is a perfect example of the common attitude people have in our society. I spent a period at Headley Court after my incident and as part of my/our rehab was to use this very pool. Using this full size pool was benefitial to my/our recovery - but it's the sheer ignorance of the people who don't see through the disability that make our recovery hard! Please think before opening your mouths! Shame on the individuals who don't.
- A Brown, Leeds, England
What on earth is going on in this country? This is appalling behaviour. The woman in question should have been ejected and banned. I feel ashamed that these guys have sacrificed so much and the respect shown is so little. What else does this woman want, cancellation of Remembrance Day?
- J Herron,, Surrey
The rights or wrongs of the fighting are of no consequence. Soldiers have to do as ordered but the people who moaned should hang their heads in shame. Then go and apologise.
- J Rowe, Skye Scotland
I am totally disgusted. The women concerned should be banned from the pool for life. The staff at the leisure centre and the bystanders who did nothing should be ashamed that they witnessed this and allowed it to occur.
- Ian Reid, Reigate Surrey
Those lads need to keep their heads up, go to sleep each night knowing that they did a bang up job protecting something a little more important the two lanes of a swimming pool at a local leisure centre.
- Graham H, Toronto, Canada
This woman should be shot, If it wasnt for our brave troops God knows what would have happened to this country in the past. I hate people like her.
- Big John, Lanarkshire
Did those people think that that paying their tickets entitled them to disrespect those solders? Did they think that they showed the right example to their children? Also there are children who lose limbs through illnesses and accidents. Should they hide away because they might scare healthy and "whole" children whose parents failed to explain them that what they deserve is sympathy and not hostility.
Regarding the comments afterwards those soldiers were sent to war by the democratically elected government of this country and were doing their jobs there. The blame for the war shouldn't lie with them.
- V Franklin, London
I hope that a national newspaper names and shames these awful people.
Too many people these days are me me me without a broader understanding of society and their responsibilities.
- Bruce Everiss, Warwks, UK
I am utterly appalled. Is this the thanks our servicemen receive?
- Mari Beagrie, Glenrothes, Scotland
Whether or not the woman agrees with the Iraq war, she should have some respect for soldiers injured whilst doing their duty. They would probably not chose to go to Iraq and get injured, but their duty prevails... always. The military is controlled by the political. They don't get to chose which war to fight. Shame on that awful woman!
- Sej, Reading, Berks.
What? Are these soldiers supposed to live in seclusion for the rest of their lives? The complainers appear to have some serious mental health issues - not to mention moral health. Selfish and spiteful small-mindedness is alive and well in Leatherhead, it seems.
- Rogan, Dallas TX
What a wonderful country we live in I think we are sending the wrong people to Iraq.
- Royal, Lympstone
If the women were as abusive as the article suggests the council should ban the women for abusing disabled people.
The woman who did this should be stripped of her citizenship, perhaps then they would be able to understand the difference between not supporting the war and supporting our armed forces are two completely different and seperate issues.
It seems some people are too stupid to realise that.
- David Whelbourn, Woking, Surrey
I am totally sickened by this report. This is wholly unacceptable behaviour and I hope that the Leatherhead Leisure Centre is taking direct action against their members. Our injured soldiers deserve so much more than this. I am totally ashamed.
- Andrew, Watford
I am ashamed to live even in the same county as these poeple, and this woman in particular. Her name and picture should be published.
- Blind Pugh, Addlestone, UK
so why wasn't the woman asked to leave for being abusive - another example of how, we as a society, are letting those who scream loudest about their selfish rights are getting away with absolutely everything.
Perhaps next time- deal with the abusers not those in the majority who were minding their own business.
- Sara, London
This has nothing to do with politics or the Iraq war - any one of us could be in an accident or have a disabled child - is this the sort of treatment we should expect from fellow human beings! This woman should be very ashamed, I hope no member of her family ever finds themselves disabled - I doubt they could count on her for much support!
- Emma, London
Some people just disgust me, and your attitude Tino seems just as stupid and ignorant.
- Brian, Wiltshire
Clearly a woman who spends her time watching daytime soaps. She has no idea that people are out there protecting her cosy little life, sometimes at a huge cost to Army personnel. She should be banned from the facility for excess stupidity
- Alex Balfour, Hong Kong
Disgusting. And shameful that Ms Costa decides to excuse the individuals of this disgraceful behaviour and lay the blame on the government. People have to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
- Daizy, N England
Are you suprised?
- Lou Rodgers, Richland, Washington
The conduct of that woman, and the others, was simply appalling!
- Charlie Ont He Pa Turnpike, Pennsylvania, USA
So what can WE SAY?! Maybe thanks to Tony for the Iraq war!.
- Tino Costa, Camberwell London
