A SECURITY guard who complained he was not allowed breaks to go to the toilet has been awarded compensation believed to be thousands of pounds, it was announced yesterday.

Gavin Ruddick won an employment tribunal hearing in June with his case that he was entitled to take breaks because the security industry was not exempt from the Working Time Regulations.

Mr Ruddick, of Newcastle, complained to his managers at Reliance Security that there was no policy allowing him to go to the toilet.

He said he was left in no doubt that if property was damaged while he was away from his post, he would be responsible for any loss.

He also said he was victimised after launching his tribunal claim.

The compensation was agreed and a statement was issued which said the terms of the agreement would be confidential.