A WOMAN who claimed her boss caused the premature birth of her baby girl has lost her claim for damages.

Naomi Mainwaring, 26, had accused employment law specialists Short Richardson and Forth LLP, based in Newcastle, of sex discrimination after discovering that she was pregnant just weeks after being appointed as assistant solicitor to Lesley Crinson, a partner in the firm.

But she has lost her employment tribunal case and was told that her claims were "exaggerated and dreamt up to try and formulate a case of discrimination".

Newly qualified Mrs Mainwaring told a Newcastle employment tribunal in January this year that she suffered months of personal harassment at the hands of Mrs Crinson, beginning as soon as the pregnancy was announced.

But Mrs Crinson denied the claims, telling the tribunal that she had been surprised but genuinely pleased at the news, and that her assistant had failed to appreciate her dry sense of humour and misunderstood a number of comments she had made.

The tribunal judgment said: "The allegations have been taken out of context, exaggerated and dreamt up to try and formulate a case of discrimination.

"We do not accept Mrs Mainwaring has in any way proved any facts upon which we would conclude that there has been an act of discrimination. There is no evidence to support the claims and they are accordingly rejected."

Mrs Crinson said: "I am extremely pleased that the tribunal has found that none of the allegations made against me were substantiated in any way."

On behalf of Short Richardson and Forth, partner Max Winthrop added: "The judgment has been a complete vindication of the company and all we have done in this case. I am disappointed that so much time and energy was expended on a claim that had no merit from the outset and the contention that there was any victimisation going on here has been described in the judgment as absurd."

Mrs Mainwaring, of Blanchland in Northumberland, is still employed by the firm and is on maternity leave.

She said: "I don't feel bitter or angry. I just feel really sad that I put myself through it and although I obviously don't agree with the judgment I do not wish Mrs Crinson or anyone else at the firm any ill-will.

"I have a beautiful 10-month old baby and another one on the way.

" I simply want to put the matter behind me and enjoy motherhood. I certainly don't want to practise as a solicitor."