Lady funeral director 'groped by embalmer'

The tribunal heard claims that Mrs Knight had embarked on an affair with Clive Pearson, of Marsden-based Pearson Funeral Service. The pair denied the claims.

The tribunal heard how the pair were seen in one of the company’s vehicles sent to collect a body from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Mr Pearson, 34, was also seen regularly at Highfield’s premises but yesterday denied any inappropriate contact.

He told The Daily Telegraph that the company gave him an old desk when the funeral home was refurbished.

Mrs Knight’s counsel, Simon Anderson, described the alleged attack in the cellar, said to have taken place last August, as a “violent sexual assault”.

It had been implied that Mrs Knight had led Mr Shannon on in some way.

The embalmer admitted to some “good-natured banter” and touching Mrs Knight’s hip and bottom to “chivvy her along” going down the stairs, the tribunal heard.

Highfield investigated the alleged assault but Mr Anderson claimed that it was dealt with in a “chauvinistic” manner.

Giving evidence, David Harrison, an area manager who conducted the disciplinary, said he believed the evidence warranted dismissal for gross misconduct. He told the tribunal that he did not know of the alleged sexual assault.

After the first day of an expected two-day hearing last week, the case was settled out of court. The terms of the settlement were confidential.

A spokesman for Highfield said yesterday: “We believe we were right to dismiss Skye Knight from our employment and that we followed the correct disciplinary procedures.

“However, before the tribunal could reach its conclusion we came to an amicable settlement.”

Mr Pearson, a “happily married” father of four, denied having an affair with Mrs Knight. “I have been told not to comment on anything,” he said, saying that claims of an affair were “untrue”.

Mrs Knight, of Sowerby Bridge, West Yorks, accused Highfield of sexual harassment and unfair dismissal.

Imsal Shahid, representing Highfield, said the terms of the settlement were confidential.

Mrs Knight declined to comment. It is unknown if a police complaint was filed.