A WITHAM-BASED company has been ordered to pay nearly £17,000 to a former employee who was unfairly dismissed after being assaulted by his boss.

Markham and Smith Motor Engineers Ltd is based at Grove Garage in Newland Street and specialises in car sales and car servicing.

The business has been ordered to pay £16,963 to former employee Jamie Sands following an employment tribunal.

It comes after Mr Sands resigned from his role as a vehicle technician and workshop manager on November 12 last year.

Mr Sands, 36,  is said to have intervened in an ongoing assault of his colleague, Natalie Hayward, by the company’s managing director Jason Tarling.

The tribunal judge Bernice Elgot said Mr Sands himself “was subjected to an unprovoked aggressive verbal and physical assault by Jason Tarling.”

Following the incident, Mr Tarling, from Great Totham, was convicted after admitting to assault charges and was ordered to pay £400 in fines, £175 in compensation and £145 in court fees and surcharges to fund victim services.

Judge Elgot added: “I am certain this incident was shocking, frightening and humiliating for the claimant leaving him feeling confused, embarrassed and fearful as he states in his final submission.

“There is no reason whatsoever that any employee should have to suffer such ill-treatment in the modern workplace and I accept that the result of the attack upon him has caused the claimant some difficulties in coping with his mental health.

"The claimant describes he was subjected to a highly degrading and embarrassing action in front of all of my peers and I am sure that this has impacted upon his mental well-being.

“He has earned no wages since November 12, 2021. He has made no application for state benefits.

“Mr Hands is sure he has been and will continue to be incapable of work for six months because of extreme stress anxiety and fear but also as a result of 'physical pain to my throat, neck, back and hip… uncertain of when I will fully recover'.”

Markham and Smith Motor Engineers Ltd and Mr Tarling were approached for comment but were unable to provide an appropriate comment before going to print.