A Starbucks barista has been suspended pending further disciplinary action after they used the corporation's naming policy to taunt a customer with a speech impediment.

According to the Daily Mail, Richard Proctor was in a Kent branch of the global chain when he was handed a takeaway cup which had been used to mock his stammer.

Instead of simply writing 'Richard' when provided with the customer's name, the barista wrote "R R R… ichard" in reference to Mr Proctor's pronounced stammer.

Contacting the Starbucks UK Facebook page to complain, he wrote: "The treatment I received from one of the Starbucks staff was extremely offensive and humiliating."

"Yes I have a speech impediment, and have been subjected to many jokes over the years, of which most I can handle, however there are many people that struggle to cope in public and this could be extremely upsetting for them," he continued.

"This is not unique but for some reason some of society think it's acceptable behaviour. The only difference in this instance is that I was handed the proof instead of having to listen to the comment," he added.

Responding to the incident, a spokesperson for the coffee chain said: "We were disappointed to hear of this customer's experience and have been in touch directly to apologise."

"The actions of the partner involved were unacceptable and they have been suspended pending further disciplinary action. We aim to provide a warm and welcoming environment for all of our customers, and plan to provide additional awareness training for our store partners in future."

Weighing in on the matter, Chief Executive of The British Stammering Association (BSA), Norbert Lieckfeld, insisted Richard's experience was yet another example of the discrimination faced by individuals with a speech impediment.

"This is just another example of the ridicule and thoughtlessness that people who stammer face every day and which makes living your life with a stammer so hard," he said.

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