Summary
A bus driver in north-west London, named Mark Hehir, was fired after punching a thief who had stolen a woman's necklace on the bus. The woman, Katalin Kaszas, thanked Hehir for making her feel safe, although his employer, Metroline, dismissed him for not following company safety rules. An employment tribunal upheld his dismissal, despite public support for Hehir.
Key Facts
- Mark Hehir, a bus driver, punched a thief who had stolen a woman's necklace in London.
- Katalin Kaszas, the theft victim, said she was grateful to Hehir for protecting her.
- Hehir was fired by his employer, Metroline, for gross misconduct after the incident.
- An employment tribunal upheld the decision to dismiss Hehir.
- Metroline stated that Hehir did not follow safety protocols for staff and passengers.
- CCTV showed the thief threw a punch at Hehir before he retaliated.
- A public petition supporting Hehir gathered over 125,000 signatures.
- U.K. Justice Secretary David Lammy called Hehir a hero and is monitoring the case.
