A double amputee called a "real hero" by Prince Harry has told of his shock at being abused for using his disabled parking badge at a hospital.
Former Royal Marine Commando Ben McBean was branded a "drain on the taxpayer" as he got out of his car for a hospital appointment.
His foul-mouthed abuser even claimed her father was in the Navy as she called him a "d***head" and said he "doesn't deserve the badge" at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon.
Dad-of-two Ben, 33, who lost an arm and a leg in a landmine blast during the Afghan conflict in 2008, admitted he almost "lost it".
He said: "Last Friday I used it for the first time when I was attending Derriford for an appointment about an operation.
"There were no spaces as usual so I was driving around in circles and then noticed the disabled car park and remembered I had the blue badge.
"I parked there and jumped out the car and a woman called me a 'government-draining d***head', something like that.
"She was shaking her head and called me a drain on the taxpayer. She even shouted something about her dad being in the Navy and told me I didn't deserve the badge.
"I was shocked but did not react and just walked off. I did not have the time to stop. If I did I might have lost it and said something I regret.
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"But I just walked away and was just like 'whatever'. I did not see it as any of her business.
"Unless I am in shorts and a t-shirt I don't look like a double amputee as I am not wheelchair-bound. I jumped out of the car so I know how it must have looked."
Ben was just 20 when he lost an arm and leg and was expected to die on the flight home which he shared with the prince.
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He had his blue badge revoked after going on to complete a marathon with prosthetic limbs – but had been using it for the first time since getting it back after a campaign backed by Johnny Mercer MP.
Ben said he ignored the volley of insults but said it made him think twice about using his badge again.
He added: "You always get some idiot who will judge you by your race or disability.
"I am always going to be wary about where I park and will only need it if I really do."
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