Chef says he was assaulted then sacked

A YOUNG family had their lives turned upside down after the chef claimed he was assaulted by his employer and then unfairly sacked.

Gary Thompson's wife, Lisa, was also dismissed purely because of her husband, an employment tribunal heard.

The couple were awarded more than £40,000, but are unlikely to receive a penny after the company employing them went bust.

Mr Thompson maintained he was sacked because On The Rocks directors Stephen Haines – the millionaire founder of the company that created Tatty Teddy – and William Dodd failed to respond to concerns that he was fearful, which led to him being signed off work sick due to stress.

Mr Dodd wrote to the tribunal's secretary before the hearing saying On The Rocks would not defend the claim due to the company's insolvency. He asked for the panel to 'reach a fair decision in relation to the claim'.

• The restaurant is now open under new management.