Worker 'spat in drinks' court is told A SOFT drinks worker was so angry at being laid off he claimed he had spat in the drinks.

Bolton Crown Court was told that £4,000 worth of products had to be thrown away at the Vimto factory after a security guard raised the alarm to management.

But worker John Lloyd told the court he merely said he "wished" he had spat in the drinks as he left the building and denies claiming he contaminated goods in order to cause the Vimto company in Leigh economic loss.

Lloyd, of Kensington Drive, Leigh, claimed he had been laid off because he made a complaint against a supervisor and because he had raised health and safety issues.

He was charged with claiming that he contaminated goods at the Vimto factory in order to cause the company economic loss.

Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said Lloyd had been informed at the end of his shift that his services would not be needed any longer.

He stormed off to the changing room, tore off his overalls and left the factory. But as he passed the security lodge he allegedly told the guard he had been laid off for no reason.

Security Guard David Roberts said he clearly remembered Lloyd being angry and saying: "Can you make sure that Sharon Elliott is aware that I have spat in the tins?"

Lloyd said that he did speak to the security guard but claimed to have said: "I wish I had spat in the tins," not that he had.

Lloyd agreed that he had been very angry because he had given everything to the company and had worked 12 hour shifts over 14 day periods.

Proceeding