A SWINDON producer and television cameraman who filmed last summer’s riots is seeking more than £8,000 in unpaid wages and compensation for unfair dismissal from a TV company running a channel for Sikhs.

Jagjeet Rehnsi, of Pembroke Gardens, made his claims at Birmingham Employment Tribunal against Sangat Television Ltd, of Edgbaston, which was said to have been facing financial difficulties when Mr Rehnsi lost his job as a producer and cameraman.

The station, which broadcasts 24 hours a day, is said to have up to 50,000 viewers across the UK and Europe.

Mr Rehnsi, who is also seeking compensation for breach of contract, told the tribunal he was unfairly dismissed after joining the firm at its opening 14 months ago.

He said he started on £19,000 a year but alleged his wages kept going down until they were less than the minimum weekly wage.

He claimed he was eventually struggling to survive and relied on the help of friends.

Mr Rehnsi who filmed the Birmingham city centre riots alleged he was owed £8,500 in wages and was not given wage slips regularly.

He stayed in Birmingham during the week for his job and went home to Swindon at weekends.

“At one stage I was paid only £1,000 in six months but I found it difficult to check on how much my wages were getting shorter because of a lack of pay slips,” he said.

The respondents opposed Mr Rehnsi’s compensation claims.

Sandeep Virde, representing Sangat Television Ltd, said the respondents had been in ‘real financial difficulties’ and could no longer afford to pay Mr Rehnsi his wages.

He agreed there had been restructuring but said the firm did not hide anything from its staff.

Mr Virde disputed Mr Rehnsi’s allegation that he received only £1,000 in six months and said he had been paid other amounts.

Mr Rehnsi’s allegation about his pay slips were also denied.

“I would email you the pay slips,” said Mr Virde.

Tribunal judge Joy Connolly frequently reminded Mr Rehnsi to answer questions more directly.

She said: “A lot of water is flowing under the bridge in this case.”

A tribunal decision is to be made at a later date.

Mr Rehnsi said later that he was now looking for another job in the television business.