A recruitment boss threatened his former business partner with the sack because she refused his sexual advances, a tribunal has heard.

John Parkinson, 58, chairman of the OFEX-listed recruitment firm the HR Group, became obsessed with Patricia MacKinnon, after he helped set up her firm, Bromley Appointments.com, in 2002.

Parkinson purchased a 51% controlling stake in the company, with MacKinnon owning the remainder and taking the role of managing director.

But immediately after signing the deal, single mother MacKinnon became distressed when Parkinson began making advances during a car journey. The tribunal heard that Parkinson began a campaign of sexual harassment, which culminated in him asking her to spend every other weekend with him in return for £1,000 per visit.

In January 2003, Parkinson said it was impossible to have MacKinnon in the firm and forced her to drop her salary by £1,000. She handed in her notice in October 2003.

The tribunal at Ashford, Kent, ruled that John Parkinson was guilty of sex discrimination and unfair dismissal. Remedies will be decided on 8 April.

HR Group is considering an appeal. Parkinson said: “We have been in recruitment for 47 years and we expect to be here in a few years’ time.”