Melbourne Spotlight worker ‘threatened autistic man’

A Spotlight worker threatened to ‘put a leash’ on an autistic man when he became too loud in store, his sister has claimed.

George Jasonides, 24, who has autism, regularly visits his local Spotlight store in Melbourne.

When George went in on Monday with his carer for some blue sticky tape, his sister Natole said he was ‘robbed of his basic human right.’

George Jasonides, 24, (pictured) who has autism, regularly visits his local Spotlight store in Melbourne

George's sister Natole (left) said he was 'robbed of his basic human right' (George pictured right) 

George’s sister Natole (left) said he was ‘robbed of his basic human right’ (George pictured right) 

Natole (pictured) was furious after she heard what had happened to her brother at a Spotlight store 

Natole (pictured) was furious after she heard what had happened to her brother at a Spotlight store 

George’s carer told Natole: ‘I was crying in the car and George is traumatised. He’s never done anything wrong in that store. I don’t know her name but she told me to put a leash on him.’

Disgusted after hearing what had happened to her brother Natole took to Facebook.

‘Today George was robbed of this basic human right as his sole presence apparently offended the manager of Spotlight and ‘scared’ the customers out of the store,’ she wrote.

‘This manager was rude and aggressive towards George’s carer and made it very clear that George was not welcome.’

Natole said her brother was often loud and boisterous, but was ‘completely harmless’.

‘George’s pleasures in life are simple; a trip to the shops, a visit to the library, a smile, a conversation with a stranger and kindness,’ Natole said.

Disgusted after hearing what had happened to her brother Natole took to Facebook

Disgusted after hearing what had happened to her brother Natole took to Facebook

A spotlight worker threatened to 'put a leash' on an autistic man when he became too loud in store, his sister has claimed (stock image) 

A spotlight worker threatened to ‘put a leash’ on an autistic man when he became too loud in store, his sister has claimed (stock image) 

In a statement to 7 News Spotlight said: ‘We are currently in contact with George’s family including his father and sister to offer our sincere apologies on behalf of the Spotlight team.

‘We have taken statements from all staff members and all of them say those words about ‘on a leash’ were not used.’

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Spotlight for comment. 

Natole (right) said her brother was often loud and boisterous, but was 'completely harmless' (George pictured left) 

Natole (right) said her brother was often loud and boisterous, but was ‘completely harmless’ (George pictured left) 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk