Boss 'sorry' over fake boobs joke

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A nursery boss has apologised for sending a pair of fake plastic breasts to an employee recovering from a mastectomy operation.

Janet Bryant, 44, received the joke Christmas present from Susan Thompson, the owner of Ring O' Roses nursery in Winlaton in Gateshead.

Last week, Mrs Bryant won £14,250 in damages after a tribunal ruled she had been unfairly sacked from the nursery.

Ms Thompson has now apologised, saying she never intended to cause offence.

Mrs Bryant underwent a series of operations after being told she had breast cancer six years ago.

The false breasts were sent in 2004, weeks after her second breast had been removed by surgeons.

'Disgusted and horrified'

She returned to work in January 2005 and claims she suffered a series of taunts from her boss about her mastectomy.

The nursery sacked her in 2007, following allegations she had breached child protection rules.

However, the chairman of the employment tribunal in Newcastle found she had been unfairly dismissed under the disability discrimination act.

Mrs Bryant, speaking after the hearing, said: "I opened (the present) and it was a pair of false breasts with tassels on - I was absolutely disgusted and horrified.

I wish to make it extremely clear that I would never mock anyone who has suffered such a serious illness Nursery boss Susan Thompson

"I went upstairs and just flung them in the back of my wardrobe."

The mother-of-one, of Lobley Hill, Gateshead, said being forced out of her job of nine years had "ruined her life".

She said: "When I was having meeting with (Susan Thompson) she started saying things like 'keep abreast of things, Janet" or 'you've dropped a boob there'."

The tribunal awarded her £3,000 for unfair dismissal and £11,250 for disability discrimination.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Ms Thompson said: "There was never ever any intention to cause offence and I am sincerely sorry for any offence caused.

"I wish to make it extremely clear that I would never mock anyone who has suffered such a serious illness.

"My life has been touched by the devastation of cancer and I know only too well the pain and suffering it causes."