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A MOTHER is celebrating at home with her young son after winning more than £14,000 in damages for being sacked when she became pregnant.

Marie Clayden, 29, suffered two miscarriages before her son Tommy was born six weeks prematurely four months ago.

A Bury St Edmunds industrial tribunal ruled that Mrs Clayden had been unfairly dismissed by Hideout Leathers Limited, of Royston. The company was ordered to pay her £6,500 for her unfair dismissal, as well as £7,796 for sexual discrimination and personal injury.

The tribunal heard that Mrs Clayden, of Shannon Close, Haverhill, had worked at the company for five years as an artist and designer of motorcycle leathers .

After telling managing director Martin Thraves and supervisor Christine Jackson she was pregnant last September, Mrs Clayden said pressure was put on her to leave.

She said: "They made personal comments and unjustified criticisms of my work. I don't think Mr Thraves wanted to pay my maternity pay. He sacked me two weeks before Christmas. He handed me a cheque for £1,000 and asked me to sign a letter of resignation. I refused."

Hideout Leathers was not represented at the tribunal but a letter was sent in by Mr Thraves claiming Mrs Clayden wanted to leave to join another company. It was also stated that the firm was in financial difficulties.

Mrs Clayden said she realised she might not actually receive the money but felt she had achieved a moral victory.

She said: "No-one should be treated like that. I came home in tears every night."

Mr Thraves, now managing director of Carrera Leathers, at Royston, said it was a completely separate company and Hideout Leather Limited was no longer trading. He confirmed that Mrs Clayden was unlikely to receive any cash but declined to comment.

* We would like to point out that Hideout Leather, of Ashdon, is not connected to Hideout Leathers Limited, of Royston, and is still trading.

CAPTION: PROUD MUM ... Marie Clayden who has won an unfair dismissal case, with her son Tommy.