Triumph told it was a boob to sack madam
9:35am Wednesday 20th September 2006 in News By Gareth Bethell
A MADAM who was sacked from her lingerie-modelling job after it was discovered she ran a brothel has won her case for unfair dismissal.
Donna Powell was awarded £400 after taking Swindon-based lingerie company Triumph International to court.
A spokeswoman for the firm said it stood by its decision to give her the sack.
Ms Powell, 39, beat hundreds of candidates to win a competition by Triumph to find a model with large breasts. She was looking forward to a year's contract with at least six trips to Hong Kong staying in top class hotels.
But on December 7 she and her partner Andrew Kyte were found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of running two brothels, one in Rolleston Road, Swindon, and another in Bristol.
Following the publicity surrounding her court case, Triumph International, which has its headquarters on the Groundwell Industrial Estate, dropped its 38D model.
Ms Powell, who lives with her partner in Keynsham, near Bristol, claimed £5,000 in compensation.
She says that despite the relatively small award, she is pleased.
"The money wasn't the important thing," she said after the hearing.
"We just wanted to show that it was an unfair dismissal and they shouldn't have done it.
"Despite my past and what I got prosecuted for I believe people should be treated fairly.
"I don't believe in exploitation. If girls want to do something they should be entitled to do what they want.
"At least in my business the guys got what they paid for and the girls got what they wanted out of the situation as well.
"I'm pleased with this outcome because it shows normal people can take on big companies."
Sue Loder, spokeswoman for Triumph International, said: "Although we are disappointed with the outcome, the amount awarded was nominal and we believe that all things considered, we took the right course of action at the time in order to protect the reputation of Triumph both as a company and as a brand."
