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Sacked pair's £50,000 payout
A couple have been awarded more than £50,000 after losing their jobs at a restaurant.
David and Dawn Joyce launched an unfair dismissal case against the Olive Gardens, in Vine Place, Sunderland, after they were both sacked last year.
But today they spoke of their "joy and relief" after winning the case.
"We're just pleased the hearing is over at last," said Dawn, from Pennywell. "This has dragged on for so long. It has been a hard time for both of us. We were left with nothing. We were out of work and had no income. It was devastating."
Chef David was awarded 34,792 and ex-manageress Dawn 16,618 by the tribunal in Newcastle.
"I think the figures go some way to show what we've been through," said Dawn. "It has been heartbreaking.
"We both just couldn't believe it when we were sacked. It came out of nowhere and left us both stunned."
David said it had always been his dream to own his own restaurant.
The hearing was told that the 50-year-old had also been a partner in the business,
"It was always something I'd been working towards," he said. "I've been a chef for more than 30 years. At first, things were going great. The restaurant was very busy – there were plenty of people coming in. I was working long hours to make sure it was a success. We made a good living out of it."
The hearing was told that mum-of-two Dawn, 38, found documents showing alleged financial irregularities and undeclared takings while cleaning the restaurant. It was said the paperwork was handed to the Inland Revenue.
"My wife had spilled a bucket of water on the floor of the restaurant and had gone downstairs to make sure the water had not gone through the floorboards into the office below," said David. "While she was checking in the office, she discovered papers which looked like financial documentation which were concealed.
"She immediately informed me and I had a look at the paperwork, which consisted of receipts for goods, some of which dated back to 2007, and handwritten figures. I was shocked. I had nothing to do with the financial side of the business. I then went to the Inland Revenue."
The respondents said that Dawn was dismissed last year after she allegedly stole champagne, spirits and a dictaphone and committed a "serious breach of fidelity", claims which she said were "completely unfounded" and did not result in a criminal conviction.
The hearing was told that David was sacked after alleged unauthorised absence from work, bank withdrawals and a licensing transfer, claims which he also denied.
The Olive Gardens has closed.
Respondent and former owner Lisa Harford was today unavailable for comment.
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Weather for Sunderland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
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Wind direction: South
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