Scientist sexually harassed

A scientist has been awarded £36,000 after she won a sexual harassment case against her superior.

The tribunal concluded that Dr Stephen Newlands had been guilty of unlawful sex discrimination against Dr Aileen Lothian. He and his company were ordered to pay compensation of £24,505, including £22,500 for injury to Dr Lothian's feelings, and £11,478 interest.

Dr Lothian told a tribunal how Dr Newlands, the sole director of Edinburgh Pharmaceutical Processes, graphically described sex acts and details of his sexual obsessions with orgies and "swinging".

The harassment started almost immediately after she first joined the company but it got worse when they moved to new premises and she began to share an office with him.

The tribunal heard how Dr Lothian’s health declined. She visited her doctor in July 2001 and stress led to her collapsing at work and being rushed to hospital in March 2002 with high blood pressure. She claimed that Dr Newland’s behaviour had left her suffering from anxiety, sleep disturbance, nightmares, appetite and weight loss, loss of self-confidence, tearfulness and psychological difficulties.

Dr Newlands, who represented himself at the tribunal, denied the claims.