A bar manager who won £600 compensation after he was labelled a “batty boy” for being gay has urged other victims of homophobic harassment to come forward.

Kane Weresch, of Tower Close, Abingdon, was awarded the sum at an employment tribunal yesterday.

The tribunal heard a colleague at the Crown and Thistle Hotel and Restaurant in Bridge Street, Abingdon, used the derogatory term to describe him. Other remarks were also, claiming he had Aids.

The 22-year-old sued the hotel for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and constructive unfair dismissal, but the claims were rejected.

However, Judge Jessica Hall ruled the bar manager’s feelings had been injured by the term “batty boy” and ordered that he should be paid £600 compensation for harassment.

Mr Weresch, who resigned in July, said: “I got to the point where I couldn’t take it any more and had become really depressed.

“Eventually I just had to do something because no-one should have to live like that.

“I had made complaints but nothing was done. I got to the stage where I resigned, then took it to a tribunal.

“A lot of people who are being bullied don’t have the confidence to do anything about it and just accept it. I just hope my story will give people the confidence to do something.

“For me it was a really hard decision but now I’ve done it, I feel that I am a stronger person as a result.”

The tribunal heard Mr Weresch was repeatedly bullied by his line manager Mario Lolli.

It also heard head chef Chris Barr shouted that he was a “batty boy” down a walkie talkie.

The abuse began in March 2007, when Mr Weresch said he needed to leave work early for some blood tests. He was then asked by Mr Lolli if he had Aids , the tribunal was told.

Mr Weresch told the tribunal he resigned twice on other occasions because of the abuse, but was persuaded to stay both times.

Thomas Oxton, representing the Crown & Thistle, claimed Mr Weresch would also swear at Mr Lolli.

Mr Weresch, who represented himself, added: “If you do feel like you’re the victim of workplace homophobic bullying, talk to someone about it.

“If it goes further than that, lodge an official complaint.”

James Lawrence, spokes-man for gay charity Stonewall, said: “Gay people are as entitled as anyone else to work free from discrimination.”

A spokesman for the hotel declined to comment.