A businessman who placed a sign saying "thief" around an employee and marched him to a police station has had to pay him £13,000.

Simon Cremer claimed Mark Gilbert had stolen a cheque for £845 from him.

But Mr Gilbert, who claims he was owed the cash, is understood to have sued his former employer for the distress and humiliation caused.

Mr Cremer, who runs a flooring business in Witham, Essex, said lawyers had advised him to settle out of court.

Charges dropped
He said: "I am very disappointed. I am very dissatisfied with the legal system.

"My legal team advised it would be cheaper to settle than go to court - which could have cost £20,000, that is money I don't have."

Mr Cremer, 46, and the three employees were arrested and accused of false imprisonment following the incident in September 2008, but the charges were later dropped.

Mr Gilbert was marched through Witham with the sign dangling from his neck.

The sign, written on cardboard, said: "THIEF. I stole £845 am on my way to police station."

But Mr Gilbert, 40, told a newspaper that he had been owed wages - a claim denied by Mr Cremer.

Should have just called the police.

Should have just called the police.

They would have said it was a civil matter. It was over pay.

The original complaint was for wages and would have been a civil matter, stealing is criminal.

I'd have carved it into his forehead.

I'd have carved it into his forehead.

It's Witham, which is a bit of an odd place. My grandma lives there, and she's noticed a change for the worse over the 30 odd years she's been there.

I don't see why they have to know it's you who has GBHed someone.

As for JJW009's comment, I agree - if you do it properly, no one would ever know. TBH it's be a bit extreme for £800. Who was it who used to chop up people and dissolve their body parts in acid?