A shopper who refused to let supermarket staff check his bag crammed with gardening waste said he has been branded a thief for the second time by the store.

Eugene Sales popped into Aldi on Gillingham Business Park and, as he was scanning his goods, was asked to allow his personal trolley to be searched.

Eugene, 57, had been to his allotment to clear rubbish and was on his way to his Rainham home to dispose of it when he nipped into the shop to buy breakfast cereal.

He flatly refused the request, professing his innocence and demanded they called police and examined CCTV before he walked out with the black bin liner full of refuse.

He said: "I was incensed. It's a breach of my human rights. I hadn't even left the shop. There were about six other customers around me. I felt very embarrassed.

"I left without my cereals. I only went in there because their brands are cheaper than in other supermarkets."

Eugene, who is recovering from severe health problems and is unable to work, walked back to his flat in Derwent Way. He is now seeking legal advice.

It's the second time Eugene has been approached by Aldi staff to search his bag.

In November 2021 he said he felt like a "scumbag" after a cashier asked to look inside his holdall as he placed his shopping on the conveyor belt.

Since falling ill with heart problems and undergoing several operations, the former air conditioning engineer says he relies on benefits and shops in discount stores.

Earlier this year, Aldi apologised for "incorrectly carrying out bag searches" at its Sheerness branch.

An Aldi spokesman said: "With customers' permission, we are conducting more frequent bag checks in our Gillingham Business Park store.

"Mr Sales refused to have his bag searched when asked by our store management and he left the store soon after."

Eugene said: "I want those involved sacked.

"You can't go around treating all your customers like suspected thieves.

"I won't be going to Aldi again – even it means paying more for my cereals."