A ROMSEY businesswoman has won a sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal case against her ex-boss.

Louise Crabtree faced her former investment company boss Marc Bandemer at Southampton Magistrates Court over claims of harassment, discrimination, non-payments and breach of contract.

The eight-day hearing heard that Mr Bandemer pressurised the single mother of three to label herself as his 'second wife', despite both having partners, would tell her he loved her and refer to her with derogatory terms such as 'naughty girl'.

However, Mr Bandemer denied being a sexual predator.

READ MORE: Fish Legal permitted to prosecute Southern Water for polluting the River Test

The employment tribunal, led by employment judge James Dawson, concluded that: “The claims of sex discrimination (including harassment) arise out of the behaviour of the first respondent which, it is alleged, included making a determined and excessive attempt to engage in a romantic relationship with the claimant, making inappropriate comments to and about the claimant and, when it became apparent that the claimant would not be reciprocating his advances, demoting and then dismissing the claimant.”

Ms Crabtree lives in Romsey with her children and her stepfather. She was dismissed as a strategic development director at Integer Wealth Global in Southampton in June last year, having worked there for more than a year.

She said the relationship was friendly until Mr Bandemer issued a written warning over her insubordination in September 2021.

Ms Crabtree told the court that she thought there was 'appropriate banter and inappropriate comments'.

When asked to elaborate she said: “He asked me to call him supreme leader and he called me pretty underling, that was okay.”

However, she objected to being called wife, naughty, girl or to comments being made about whips and chains.

SEE ALSO: Work starts to replace cricket clubhouse destroyed by arson atta​ck

In a statement produced to the tribunal, Ms Crabtree, said: “Around early January 2022 the first respondent told me that I was going on a business trip with him and his wife but later changed it to him and me.

“By now I felt extremely uncomfortable. He made reference more to us being together personally, that we were in this for the long run and needed to be there for me in all aspects of my life.

"He asked to see my hair when it was done and send photos for approval. He started to bring me gifts such as flowers even though he knew I had a new partner, Andy. He started to talk about difficulties in his marriage which made me feel very uncomfortable.”

Ms Crabtree was supported by her sister Ms Brackley who recollected Mr Bandemer uncomfortably pushing Ms Crabtree onto his lap at a birthday party in July 2021.

A colleague and supporting witness for Mr Bandemer, Mr De Pass, said he did not see any such situation and thought the afternoon was all very pleasant.

READ ALSO: Hampshire village school with 26 pupils could close next year, public meeting hears

In a statement produced to the tribunal, Mr Bandemer, said: “I would humbly describe myself as tactile, caring, engaging and I use terms of endearment after the first several engagements with people - and to just about everyone I meet.

“I have a large sense of humour, have failed more than any successes I have had - as all others have had - an oversupply of career disappointments in my many years as a businessman. However, what I have not done and am not, is a sexual predator. I categorically state that I have never touched Louise Crabtree in any inappropriate manner, have never made any sexual overtures or made any sexual suggestions to her ever.”

The tribunal accepted that Ms Crabtree’s demotion in May last year was due to her refusing Mr Bandemer’s advancements and that she suffered a detriment as a result.

The panel led by employment judge Mr Dawson ruled that the claims of harassment, discrimination, an unauthorised deduction of wages, and a breach of contract in respect of notice pay and holiday pay, were well founded.

A decision on compensation has been adjourned to December 19 and 20.

Mr Bandemer was contacted for comment but was unavailable.