A PROBATION officer has told a tribunal that mental torture and bullying by her bosses forced her to leave her job.

Christine Davies, a former magistrate, yesterday alleged her managers had belittled her in front of offenders and colleagues and had undermined her confidence by constantly criticising her work.

Mrs Davies was giving evidence at an industrial tribunal, in Newcastle, into her claim of unfair dismissal against the National Probation Service Teesside.

She said she felt victimised when her senior, Wendy Eves, questioned her for three hours about her work, the day before she left for annual leave.

"Due to the pressure inflicted by Miss Eves I went home stressed and upset, which spoilt my holidays," she said.

Mrs Davies said another senior member of staff, Janet Bolton, made derogatory remarks about her work, which reduced her to tears, and that Miss Eves harangued her in front of other staff and set her impossible tasks.

She also said Trevor Jones, a senior member of staff, made intimidating comments when she joined strike action.

Mrs Davies, who worked in the Middlesbrough office, said she took sick leave due to stress in February, but her managers made it impossible for her to stay when she returned to work, so she took another job and gave notice.

Seamus Sweeney, representing the probation service, said the allegations of bullying and intimidation would be rejected.

He said, while praising Mrs Davies as a "caring offender supervisor", her managers had legitimate concerns about aspects of her work, which they were entitled to and obliged to deal with.

He said they had offered her advice to achieve required standards, but she could not accept management views on her work performance.

The hearing continues.