Ex-warder 'forced out of job'

Michael Bailey, 51, is one of two people who have taken HM Prison Service to an employment tribunal after being forced to leave Stoke Heath Young Offenders' Institution, near Market Drayton.

Mr Bailey, from Market Drayton, and 53-year-old Richard Wilde, are both claiming unfair dismissal at the tribunal at Prospect House, Shrewsbury.

The tribunal heard Mr Bailey seriously injured his knee in 2000 while rescuing a youth who had set fire to his own cell.

He had been working as an officer since 1984 and after the accident was moved to Stoke Heath's communications room, sparing him from work his knee injury would not allow him to do, such as responding to alarm calls or using "control and restraint".

But, Mr Bailey told the hearing that in September last year he was called for a "capability hearing" with Teresa Clarke, Stoke Heath governor.

At the meeting, she told Mr Bailey the communications room was being "re-profiled" and he could not keep his job.

She said he may be able to stay in a lesser role for less pay, but he rejected it, the hearing was told. He was then made redundant as "medically inefficient".

Mr Adam Tolley, for the Prison Service, told the hearing Mr Bailey was incapable of performing the full role of a prison officer.

Former army chef Mr Wilde, who suffers from hereditary spastic paraplegia, was due to give evidence today.