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Train driver did not bully female colleague by leaving tarantula remains and shed snakeskin in her pigeonhole, judge rules

A train driver who was sacked for leaving tarantula remains and a shed snakeskin in a colleague's pigeonhole did 'not bully' her, a judge has ruled.

Jonathan Richardson played his first prank in 2022 with the 'exoskeleton' of a tarantula after the female driver admitted the 'creepy crawlies' made her 'squeamish', an employment tribunal heard.

He was trying to elicit 'momentary shock' followed by 'light-hearted relief' from his colleague but had not anticipated her becoming distressed, the hearing was told.

He then followed up with the snakeskin prank, even after she had threatened to report him to their bosses at West Midlands trains and called him a f***ing tw**'.