Ex-police officer awarded over £1m in discrimination case after being violently prevented from running her own business

A former police officer has been awarded more than £1million in a discrimination case after her abuse forced her to run a business alongside her work.

Sergeant Katrina Hibbert suffered from PTSD and depression after working with children who had been victims of drug and sexual exploitation, an employment tribunal heard.

1

On the advice of a company doctor health professional, she set up a party and events company to help her cope with the stress of Police work.

But the Thames Valley police officer was left feeling ‘hopeless’ after her superiors withdrew her permission to run the business when she fell ill.

Bosses said her side job delayed her return to work and claimed the public expects agents to “perform their contractual role before any business interest.”

After the withdrawal and gross negligence research — which “aggravated her anxiety” — she resigned and filed a lawsuit alleging dismissal and disability discrimination.

A judge at Reading Crown Court ruled that the decision to revoke her licence was “discriminatory” and awarded her £1.1 million in damages.