£100k payout for Pertemps boss over sex pest claims

The multi millionaire boss of West Midland-based recruitment giant Pertemps was celebrating today after being awarded what could be a record £100,000 costs against a former employee who falsely accused him of being a sex pest.

Tim Watts, the 61-year-old chairman of the company that has its headquarters in Meriden, declared: "These vexatious spongers have to be taught a lesson. And she has been – big time." It follows allegations made by mother-of-three Debbie Smith, from Sutton Coldfield, at an employment tribunal.

The former £90,000-a-year executive at Pertemps subsiduary P Investments alleged sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation. But they were dismissed as a "waste of time" in a scathing judgment.

Now 50-year-old Mrs Smith, who was sacked in June 2009 after the franchising subsidiary she helped run lost £250,000, has agreed to pay £100,000 towards the costs of the case. Mr Watts had been seeking £250,000 but agreed to less because he did not want to see her go bankrupt.

Mr Watts said: "This was brought in pique and anger. There was never a scintilla of truth in any of the accusations. Like many others, Debbie Smith no doubt thought she could secure an easy bung.

"Most firms, even when they are in the right, settle such disputes because of the spiralling cost of fighting them. Not me. I have never taken a backward step in my life. My reputation means everything to me. I wanted the truth to come out."