Appearing at Birmingham Employment Tribunal last week, Thomas Sulwey, of Smith Street, denied a series of allegations put to him by his employer Felix Dennis.

Mr Dennis, of the Old Manor in Dorsington, near Stratford, has businesses in London and the USA. A defendant in the Oz Magazine obsecenity trial in the 1960s, he went on to found a major publishing business and is also a poet.

Speaking at the tribunal, Mr Dennis's estate manager David Bliss said Mr Sulwey was dismissed because of his behaviour and a failure to carry out the duties expected of him in the correct manner.

He also said Mr Dennis had seen Mr Sulwey driving too fast through the village and had failed to report he had allegedly caused £235 worth of damage to a car.

Mr Bliss added that Mr Sulwey did not turn up at work because of flooding, even though other staff had turned up, and he failed to attend a meeting to discuss his behaviour.

Mr Sulwey accused his employer of fabricating evidence against him and described the allegations as "trivial".

He said the accusations had "ulterior motives" because he had complained about £120 of unpaid wages, and he had been unable to attend the meeting due to "other important commitments".

Mr Bliss admitted that there had been an error over Mr Sulwey's wages but they had since been paid.

Tribunal chairman Mary Cooks said a decision would be made at a later date.