Man ‘a victim of webcam honey trap scam’
The man, who works for a private care home provider, says he was summarily dismissed last Monday after two co-workers complained about him after they claimed they saw him engaging in a sexual act posted on Facebook.
He says the video was forged and posted by someone attempting to blackmail him in what is known as the internet honey trap scam.
He has never got a copy of the video which was deleted very soon afterwards, the court heard.
His lawyers yesterday obtained permission to serve at short notice on the care home his intention to seek an injunction restraining the employer from giving effect to his dismissal.
He also seeks a declaration the dismissal was in breach of fair procedures.
His counsel told Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan the man had an unblemished work record with the care home.
Two co-workers, including the daughter of one of the people who sat on a disciplinary board to deal with his case, complained about the video.
Counsel said the video was a forgery and edited in such a way to say his client was engaged in the sexual act. Somebody had attempted to blackmail him in what is now known as a web honey trap scam which has already received a certain amount of publicity, counsel said.
The man was suspended following a disciplinary hearing on May 9. At the end of it, the chairman said they were now “going down the road of proving his innocence” and the hearing was adjourned.
Counsel said this meant he was guilty of something and had to prove his innocence.
The day before the hearing was due to resume last Monday, he received a letter from his employer’s solicitors stating “there was no doubt he was the man in the video” and he was being summarily dismissed, counsel said.
Leaving aside the fact that he had not been allowed to put his side of the case, the disciplinary process had not even finished at this stage, counsel said.
Ms Justice O’Regan granted permission for service of the proceedings at short notice on the defendant and said the matter could come back to court next week. The application was made on an ex-parte basis.
