The_Guardian_-_2016-12-29

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Portsmouth
Debenhams apologises to homeless man for
Boxing Day drenching
Portsmouth store replaces Russell Lucas Allen’s belongings after water poured out on him from
inside shop as he slept in doorway
Russell Lucas Allen posted on Facebook that the water pouring out from the store ‘ruined clothing,
food, dog bedding [and] public donations’. Photograph: Facebook
Alice Ross
Wednesday 28 December 2016 18.49 GMT Last modified on Wednesday 28 December 2016
22.00 GMT
Debenhams has apologised to a homeless man after his possessions were drenched as he slept in a
doorway of its city-centre Portsmouth store on Boxing Day.
Russell Lucas Allen alleged a security guard told him to “enjoy your water bed” after he woke up to
find his belongings, and those of his dog Lexy, soaked with water. He wrote on Facebook that water
poured from inside the store had “ruined clothing, food, dog bedding, public donations brought by the
kind members of public”.
He wrote that he and some friends had complained, adding: “When confronting the guard I got told I
deserve it.”
Debenhams said it was an “unfortunate accident” and replaced Allen’s bedding. The original
Facebook post led to hundreds of comments on social media and offers of help. An online petition
calling for the guard to be disciplined gathered more than 8,000 signatures within 24 hours.
Allen, a former assistant building site manager, told the Guardian the response was overwhelming. “I
didn’t think such a small incident would escalate into such a big situation,” he said.