A woman has been ordered to pay £20,000 after losing a claim for harassment against bosses of a TV cartoon series.
Louise Coats sued producers behind The Amazing World of Gumball – where she was a script editor – after accusing one of making a sexual comment to her.
She claimed they sacked her when she raised harassment issues, and stole the credit for her work.
But after a two-year legal battle, an employment tribunal ruled Ms Coats’ claims were without merit.
It decided she must pay £20,000 towards the costs of programme maker Great Marlborough Productions – who had originally demanded £170,000.
Tribunal judges accused her of making “absurd” claims that bosses were continuing to harass and victimise her and producing “flimsy evidence”.
They blasted her for wasting time and public money by prolonging a losing battle against the Cartoon Network.
One judge said: “She has shown herself willing to run many unpromising arguments in this case. It is she who has fought a determined campaign to keep it alive. That campaign cannot be allowed to prevail. There has to be some finality in litigation.”
London-based Ms Coats wrote for The Amazing World of Gumball until five years ago.
The surreal British show – about a cat and a goldfish and their pals – airs on the Cartoon Network and has more than two million YouTube fans. It has won 16 gongs including eight Baftas and was nominated for three Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice awards.
When contacted by the Sunday Mirror Louise Coats said she planned to appeal.
