12.12.2008

£190,000 Awarded to Lesbian Soldier Over Male Sargeant's Sexual Harassment

Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, a lesbian soldier who was sexually harassed by a male sergeant today won her claim for sex discrimination and was awarded £190,000 from the Ministry of Defence.

The employment tribunal heard that Fletcher's career had collapsed as a result of the sergeant's actions while she worked at an army stables in North Yorkshire, resulting in her resignation in February after serving in the army for 10 years.

Fletcher's solicitor, John Mackenzie, told a hearing that his client's position became "untenable" after she won her claim of sex discrimination and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in January.

"The claimant felt unable to continue to serve within the Royal Artillery because she felt she would continue to be victimised and discriminated against." he said.

"The immediate consequence of the act of discrimination is that the claimant's career in the Royal Artillery has collapsed and it's the respondent's conduct that has caused this collapse."

Earlier this year, the MoD offered Fletcher an apology for the conduct of the sergeant.

The employment tribunal, held in November last year, heard that the sergeant victimised Fletcher with text messages and unwanted advances.

She told the tribunal how he propositioned her by text saying: "Look I might be able to convert you. You don't know what you are missing."

The tribunal heard that Fletcher was the first woman to ride with the King's Troop and paraded for the Queen's Birthday and trooping the colour after joining up in 1996.