A SACKED Redditch prison officer who was injured in a car crash has made legal claims for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination against her former employers after complaining not enough was done to help her.

Jane O’Neill of Belbroughton Close, Redditch, had been employed at HMMP Hewell, between Redditch and Bromsgrove, with a good reputation and over 16 years service.

Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told that Ms O’Neill joined the prison service as a prison officer and was later moved to the role of administration officer because she "could not undertake control and restraint".

The prison was said to have 180 prisoners in the open section and 1,220 on the closed site.

Ms O’Neill was making legal claims at the tribunal for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal against the Ministry of State for Justice which is responsible for the Prison Service.

The car accident happened in 2002 and Ms O’Neill complained that the condition of her injuries got worse.

She said she suffered from back and neck injuries, needed surgery and was concerned about her long term prospects.

She had been on maternity leave to have a baby daughter and hoped to have adjustments carried out to help her on her return to work, the tribunal was told.

But she accused the prison authorities of failing to make the adjustments and complained she was eventually unfairly dismissed.

She said in a written statement to the tribunal that she had wanted a new chair to help ease her back and neck pains and adjustments made to her computer monitor.

Ms O’Neill said she had applied for retirement on the grounds of ill health at one stage but was refused.

The respondents opposed Ms O’Neill’s legal claim after denying they had not done enough to help her.

Robert Maxwell, representing the respondents, said he had been told a special chair for Ms O’Neill had been ordered.

The tribunal was told that her dismissal followed a report on her capability.

The hearing has been listed for several days and tribunal judge Lynne Findlay is expected to make a decision at a later date.