A man with Asperger syndrome has had his phone cut off by Virgin Mobile because he owes them £11.93, despite assuring them he will be able to pay by Friday.

Stephen Allen, 50, from Norwich had his phone cut off yesterday after insufficient funds left him unable to pay his direct debit to the company.

Mr Allen, who is looking for work, said he was worried having his phone cut off would leave him isolated as he lives on his own.

He said: 'I have Asperger syndrome and because I spend a lot of time on my own it means if I need to contact the outside world I can.

'Also my phone is helpful for me in looking for work and communicating with others.

'It helps make my life less isolated.'

Mr Allen says despite assuring the company that he would be able to pay his contract on tomorrow he has received three phone calls and one text from Virgin Mobile in the past two weeks.

He said: 'I didn't have sufficient funds in my account for a direct debit to go out, for £11.93 to Virgin Mobile.'

'I let them know that I won't be able to pay until December 16 because that's the next time my bank is going to have funds in it but they're adamant.'

He said he was worried about being cut off.

He said: 'I'm apprehensive because this is the first time it has happened.

'It's poor customer care; there are probably people who owe a damn sight more than £11 and they're probably getting away with it.

'I think they're picking on me for some reason.'

Mr Allen said he failed to pay his direct debit on December 1.

Last week he was told by Virgin Mobile that his phone would be cut off.

He is now unable to make calls or send text messages but he can still receive calls and text messages.

Virgin Media did not want to comment on Mr Allen's situation without speaking to him first.