A DELIVERY driver who sought compensation for unfair dismissal after being accused of "driving like a madman", has been given a basic £460 award by Birmingham Employment Tribunal.

Nicolas Jones, 25, of Stourport Road, was sacked by Pelican Fine Foods, of Long Bank, Bewdley, in June.

The firm's proprietor, Keith Coldrick, said Mr Jones had been employed since November 2001, delivering food and other goods to 15 customers a day. He was paid £320 a week.

Mr Coldrick said Mr Jones started his job well enough, but after a time customers started complaining about him.

He failed to collect empty waste oil cans and Mr Jones showed "gross inefficiency" when it came to handling customers' cash.

"At least three customers complained about his performance," said Mr Coldrick.

"Mr Jones was also involved in several accidents with one of our vehicles. In the last incident he crashed a van into the back of another vehicle and the firm faced a major increase in the insurance premium as a result.

"He drove in a dangerous and reckless manner - driving more like a madman. Goods were also found in a dreadful state in the back of the van.

"Yet Mr Jones never communicated with us about his problems."

The tribunal was told Mr Jones was given a warning about his gross misconduct. He was sacked following a disciplinary hearing.

Richard Best, representing Mr Jones, told the tribunal that the firm's actions leading up to the dismissal were "fatally flawed".

"Mr Jones was not given prior warning about the disciplinary hearing and had no chance to make official representations", said Mr Best.

"A letter telling him he was being dismissed had been typed before the hearing - the management had already made up their minds to sack him. Mr Jones was also dismissed without notice."

Tribunal chairman Peter Swann said that the firm had not given Mr Jones notice about the disciplinary hearing and had failed to give him an opportunity to appeal against the dismissal decision.

"The tribunal panel believe, however, that the firm intended to dismiss Mr Jones anyway. As a result we are awarding Mr Jones his basic statutory right of £460."