A sales rep who claimed his boss sacked him and abandoned him miles from his home in Hove has won more than £3,000 compensation.

John Hills successfully claimed at an employment tribunal he was unfairly dismissed from his job at Ultimate, a wholesale hair and beauty products supplier.

He had worked at the firm, based in Gloucester Road, Brighton, for 13 years.

He said he was bullied and criticised by his former boss, managing director Mark Perry, who called him a "tosser".

Mr Hills, 41, of York Avenue, Hove, told the hearing Mr Perry ranted and raged at him while the two men drove in a company car to visit a customer in Uckfield.

When they parked, Mr Hills believed he had been sacked and stepped out of the car.

But he was shocked when Mr Perry moved over to the driver's seat and drove off. Mr Hills was forced to ring his father to collect him.

The company denied treating him unfairly. It said Mr Hills was not sacked but resigned.

The Brighton tribunal ruled Mr Hills believed he was sacked when he got out of the car.

Mr Hills, who has since found another job, was awarded £3,120 in compensation plus £834 in unpaid wages.

He told the hearing he was happy with his job until December, last year, when his boss started making snide and bullying remarks and accused him of being useless.

Mr Perry admitted getting upset with Mr Hills on the journey to Uckfield but said it was because he was disappointed in his work.

He said if he had wanted to sack him he had a list of reasons as there had been problems with credit control and a series of complaints from customers.

After the hearing, Mr Hills said he was pleased at the result. He said: "It was a hard struggle but I just told the truth."