A disgusted mum claims an Asda security guard spat in her son's face as he left the store with his dad.
Police have confirmed an incident was reported this morning concerning an Asda security guard and 19-year-old customer following a "verbal argument".
The 19-year-old's mum, Briony, spoke to the ECHO about what she claims took place.
Briony, who lives with her son and her partner in Wallasey Village, said her partner was challenged by the same security guard a week ago about not wearing a mask to the store in Liscard.
She said even after he produced his exemption certificate, the guard was reluctant to let him in until another security guard intervened.
This morning, Briony said her partner and her son - who was wearing a face covering - were at Asda to do some shopping.
She said: "He was challenged again and my partner said we've been through this last time and showed him his exemption certificate."
They were allowed through but it was when they had finished their shopping and were coming out of the store that Briony says the security guard was staring at them and started to "act confrontational".
She said: "My partner gave him a thumbs up and said, 'come on mate, we got off on the wrong foot last week, there's no need for this' and they continued walking away from the store.
"The security guard said, 'what did you say?' and my 19-year-old said, 'why are you behaving like a d**k h**d?
"There was quite a distance between them at this point but he ran out of the store and confronted my son who was near the car park.
"The security guard challenged him saying, 'say it to my face.'
"He's then removed his mask and spat in my son's face which made contact as my son had removed his mask when he vacated the shop."
A spokesperson for Asda has said they are currently investigation the claim which has been reported to police.
Briony said her partner managed to diffuse the situation and when they got back home they told her what had happened.
She said she immediately went up to the store and asked to speak to the manager and also reported the incident to police.
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She added: "I'm furious with how disgusting it is. I understand there's two sides to every story but you can't justify that, and the circumstances certainly don't justify it.
"It's depraved, it's the lowest of the low."
A spokesperson for Asda told the ECHO : "We have been made aware of an alleged incident that took place outside our Liscard store earlier today and are looking into what happened."
Merseyside Police confirmed they are also investigating the claims that an Asda security guard spat in a customer's face.
A spokesperson for the force said: "We are appealing for witnesses after it was reported a man spat in the face of another man during an altercation in Liscard.
"It was reported that two men were leaving Asda on Seaview Road at 10.50am today (Tuesday 10 March) when one of them became involved in an altercation with another man.
"A verbal argument followed and the victim, a 19-year-old man, was spat at."
Detective Inspector Darren Taylor said: “Being spat at is a distressing experience at the best of times. But it is particular upsetting to hear this report given we are still facing a virus that we know can be transmitted through breath, let alone saliva.
“Incidents such as this could pose a serious threat to the victim’s health, and risk prolonging the restrictions we are currently living with.
"Our enquiries into this incident are at an early stage and we are in the process of speaking to any witnesses and viewing CTV footage."
Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to DM @MerPolCC or message Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook, quoting reference 21000153179.
You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or contact them via their online form.
