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MoD must pay gay soldier £190,000 MoD must pay gay soldier £190,000
(21 minutes later)
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been ordered to pay nearly £190,000 to a lesbian soldier who was sexually harassed by a male sergeant.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been ordered to pay nearly £190,000 to a lesbian soldier who was sexually harassed by a male sergeant.
Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher will receive £186,895.52 after winning her claims for sex discrimination, victimisation and sexual harassment. Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher has won £186,895.52 for sex discrimination, victimisation and sexual harassment.
An employment tribunal in Leeds heard that Miss Fletcher's career collapsed as a result of the sergeant's actions. An employment tribunal heard that Miss Fletcher, originally from Sheffield but now living in Birmingham, was pestered at an Army stables in North Yorkshire.
The 32-year-old said she was humiliated at an Army stables in North Yorkshire. The 32-year-old's career collapsed as a result of the sergeant's actions.
Ms Fletcher, who is originally from Sheffield but now lives in Birmingham, is openly gay and said the sergeant and other male colleagues tried to destroy her career because she spurned his advances. Miss Fletcher, who is openly gay, said the sergeant and other male colleagues tried to destroy her career because she spurned his advances.
The tribunal in 2007 heard the unnamed staff sergeant pestered Ms Fletcher for sex and sent her explicit text messages while she worked at the Army stables. The tribunal in 2007 heard the unnamed staff sergeant pestered Ms Fletcher for sex and sent her explicit text messages while she worked at the Army stables. This is as severe a case of victimisation following an allegation of sexual harassment as one could see Tribunal judgement
She resigned in February after serving in the Army's Royal Artillery for 10 years.She resigned in February after serving in the Army's Royal Artillery for 10 years.
Earlier this year, the MoD offered Miss Fletcher an apology for the conduct of the male sergeant.
In its judgment, the tribunal said: "This is as severe a case of victimisation following an allegation of sexual harassment as one could see in an employment tribunal.
"The claimant was subjected to a sustained campaign of victimisation over a lengthy period.
"The victimisation extended to imposition of disciplinary sanctions, impinging the claimants mental stability and obstructing her transfer to a more suitable posting."
The MoD has been ordered to pay £30,000 in respect of "injury to feelings", £20,000 for "aggravated damages" and £50,000 for "exemplary damages".
A further £65,558 was ordered to be paid in respect of lost earning and pension entitlement.
The remainder of the total is made up of Miss Fletcher's costs and interest payments.
According to the judgment, Miss Fletcher has given one year's notice to the Army and will leave early next year after completing 12 years of service.
It said she has been unsuccessful in her application to become an RSPCA inspector and she "considers her future employment prospects are bleak".