Suicide mystery of estate agent ordered to pay female employee £30,000 over ‘bigger blouse' jibe
An estate agent ordered to pay £30,000 compensation to a female employee over remarks about her breasts is thought to have committed suicide.
Gerald Probert, 61, was found dead at his home by police just two weeks after Julie-Ann Reed won the payout at an employment tribunal. It is believed four suicide letters were found close to his body.
Police went to his rented detached farmhouse in Whitestone, outside Exeter, on Wednesday after a neighbour raised the alarm.
Julie-Ann Reed won compensation from Gerald Probert, right
A police spokesman said the death was ‘not being treated as suspicious’.
Miss Reed, 27, had told last month’s hearing in Exeter that the separated father of two had said to her: ‘You should either reduce the size of your breasts or get some new blouses.’
She claimed he also failed to pay her on time and when she complained told her that her boyfriend should look after her and pay the bills.
Miss Reed, from Kingskerswell, Devon, said she had been so stressed by his ‘humiliating’ behaviour that she became ill with depression.
She had worked for Mr Probert’s firm in the centre of Exeter for seven years and been promoted to a £20,000-a-year post when he allegedly told her: ‘You little s***, get out’.
She claimed unfair dismissal, unpaid wages and sex discrimination and was awarded £28,900.99 damages with £3,055 costs against Mr Probert.
Last night her solicitor Terry Falcao said: ‘Miss Reed is clearly upset about Mr Probert and her thoughts are entirely with his family at this sad time.’
Mr Probert had closed his business of 44 years in July, blaming falling house prices, fewer buyers and rising costs.
He leaves two sons, Gregory, 30, and Ross, 31, from his marriage to Diane Probert, who lives in a mid-terrace house in Exeter. Mrs Probert refused to comment on his death.
