'Why wasn't sex pest boss fired?'
A SEX PEST is continuing to work in a senior role at a popular Tonbridge restaurant, the Courier can reveal.
Robert DeBoick held on to his job at Hilden Manor Beefeater on London Road – despite groping a male former work colleague.
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SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Robert DeBoick is still the kitchen manager at Hilden Manor Beefeater (inset) despite groping a male former work colleague
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SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Robert DeBoick (inset) is still the kitchen manager at Hilden Manor Beefeater despite groping a male former work colleague Main picture PL1301105_2
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A tribunal in Ashford heard he also indecently exposed himself to his victim on two occasions – and was warned about his behaviour by Kent Police and his bosses at Whitbread.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is furious that DeBoick, whose wife Lisa is the venue's general manager, kept his job as kitchen manager even though an employment tribunal ruled against him.
He said: "I'm very angry he's still there. I only found out recently he was still in the same job, when I was basically forced to move on.
"This has affected me so much financially and emotionally.
"Normally, when someone does this, they'd at least get moved away.
"Whitbread has failed to recognise what he has done. They've been given plenty of time to do the right thing but they haven't. I think it's ill management on their behalf."
DeBoick admitted at the October tribunal to touching his victim's nipples, testicles and bottom – and also to telling him he loved him.
He said it was all part of kitchen "banter" and "horseplay" which regularly occurred between members of staff.
But the tribunal said it was sexual harassment. In her judgement, Employment Judge Victoria Wallis said she "was satisfied DeBoick engaged in unwanted verbal, non-verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature towards the claimant."
She also concluded that DeBoick's behaviour led to the victim moving to another job.
DeBoick was ordered to pay his victim £1,040 in compensation, and Whitbread ordered to pay £5,200.
DeBoick declined to comment when contacted by the Courier.
A statement from Whitbread, whose internal investigation into the sexual harassment was slammed by the tribunal as "inadequate", said: "We felt we had investigated the allegations thoroughly and we treated the matter with the severity it deserved.
"We are confident that no further allegations, of the same nature, will be raised by employees of the site.
"Our regional operations manager will be retraining all managers on employee relations matters."
106 Comments
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by Hastings, Hastings
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 4:05PM
“oh dear i always knew he was pervrted but not gay! It was only a matter of time before everyone found out!”
by Julia, Kent
Sunday, January 31 2010, 10:13PM
“Does that place have a really high turnover?”
by You know who I am Lisa, Bexhill
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 5:47PM
“Remind us, why was it you left The White Hart Beefeater in Guestling?”
by A Parent, Tonbridge
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 11:32AM
“the last post from - Hilden Manor Employee, Kent - I think says it all.
It clearly shows "what lies beneath" - in this saga.
Why on earth would so many people keep putting forward the same concerns?
Whitbread must act NOW.”
by Beefeater Employee, Kent
Monday, January 25 2010, 2:05PM
“Clearly the value of freedom of speech has flown directly out of the window. The comments made by Tristan and others have been removed as the content perhaps hit a nerve and rather close to the 'victim' and his band of followers. The comments posted about Robert being a Beast and Sex Pest are abusive and not needed. A good way for the local rag to sell papers with a shocking headline. Time for the paper to remove this before it becomes out of hand. Clearly the protestors and the 'victim' dont like things being said, then may I suggest they now stop.”