Compensation: Julie-Ann Reed, 27, won £30,000 after her boss told her to get smaller breasts

A female estate agent who was driven out of her job by her boss's comments about her breasts has won more than £30,000.

Julie-Ann Reed, 27, was so stressed by Gerald Probert's behaviour she became ill with depression.

She told an employment tribunal in Exeter how Mr Probert said: 'You should either reduce the size of your breasts or get some new blouses.'

He also failed to pay her on time and when she complained he told her that her boyfriend should look after her and pay the bills.

When she objected to his sexist comments he sacked her and told her: 'You little s***, get out.'

Miss Reed, from Kingskerswell, South Devon, had worked for the firm in the centre of Exeter for seven years and had been promoted to the £20,000-a-year position of valuer and director.

She is now working at a less well paid job selling advertising space for a magazine.

Mr Probert did not attend the tribunal in Exeter where Miss Reed claimed unfair dismissal, unpaid wages and sex discrimination.

He has closed his estate agency business, but says he intends to start another one in the city.

Miss Reed was awarded £28,900.99 damages with £3,055 costs against Mr Probert personally.

After the case she said: 'I am very relieved it is over. It was very good to hear the tribunal agreeing about the way I was treated.

'When he made those comments about me it seemed surreal but they really knocked my confidence and made me feel very low.'

Her lawyer Terry Falcoa, from Stones solicitors in Exeter, said: 'Mr Probert was an employer who did not believe in treating his staff well.

'This case should act as a warning to any others who believe they can treat employees as disposable commodities in this day and age.'

Tribunal chairman Mr Hugh Parker said: 'Mr Probert took to making comments which Miss Reed found offensive.

'He told her that her boyfriend was going to have to pay the bills, the implication being she should rely on her male partner.

'He also offered to sit down with her and go through her bills to sort out what should be paid and what should not.

'Again the implication was she was incompetent and incapable of sorting out her own affairs and this was therefore offensive.

'He did not acknowledge the difficulties being caused by his failure to pay her salary.

'Perhaps most serious, on at least five occasions in 2007 Mr Probert made offensive personal comments about Miss Reed.

'He told her "either reduce the size of your breasts or get some new blouses" and drew attention to a gap between the buttons of her blouse.

'Miss Reed found the remarks offensive and humiliating.

'He was aware she was suffering from depression and should have been aware of the effect his comments had on her.'

Mr Parker went on: 'His remarks to her were upsetting, offensive and demeaning and there could scarcely have been a more blatant failure to follow procedures.

'Mr Probert has not responded to these proceedings and I am justified in concluding he has treated this case with contempt.'

Mr Probert, who lives in a country cottage in Whitstone, near Exeter, was not available for comment and there was no reply at his closed offices.