A community warden from Australia, who alleged that he faced racial abuse from coworkers who habitually greeted him with ‘G’day Sport’, is bringing his case before the European Court of Human Rights.
Geoff Stephens, having relocated to the UK from Australia at the age of 22, has spent 27 years in the country, where he asserts he was subjected to ongoing harassment from his colleagues due to his nationality.
For six years, the 49-year-old served as a community warden addressing anti-social behavior in Dymchurch, Kent, before resigning in 2010 due to depression.
He stated that the ‘racism’ and ‘bullying’ he experienced at his job ‘would eventually have killed him’, and he consistently requested that his coworkers cease making jokes about his Australian heritage.
According to him, fellow wardens perpetually greeted him with remarks like ‘G’day Sport’, ‘Is your girlfriend named Sheila?’, and made jokes regarding kangaroos while asking him to ‘Throw another shrimp on the barbie’.
The former immigration officer, also a governor at Dymchurch Primary School, took sick leave in August 2010 due to depression, as the ridicule persisted without pause.
This January, Mr. Stephens approached an employment tribunal against Kent County Council but ultimately lost his discrimination case, with his appeal dismissed as well.
However, it has emerged this week that Mr. Stephens, originally from Adelaide and currently residing in Folkestone, Kent with his wife Christine, is escalating his case to the European Court of Human Rights.
He asserts that officials at Kent County Council monitored a series of private phone calls, including one to his doctor, questioning whether he was ‘genuinely sick’ when he took time off due to depression.
Mr. Stephens remarked: ‘I’m incredibly disappointed with the tribunal’s decision but remain optimistic regarding my case in Europe.
‘The last few months have been a living nightmare, completely overturning my life.’
‘I possess transcripts that validate they intercepted my private conversations, including one with my doctor to verify my health claims.’
‘I thought ‘Strewth’ and was astonished when I realized it. They have violated my human rights under Article 8, the right to privacy.’
A representative from the council declined to provide comments regarding the allegations of eavesdropping on Mr. Stephens’ phone calls, stating: ‘That claim was dismissed on the grounds of being vexatious.
‘We cannot comment further on the matter.’
Last year, reflecting on his situation, Mr. Stephens expressed: ‘Since August, I’ve managed only three hours of sleep a night, and the mental and physical strain will ultimately take its toll on me.
‘I feel as if my entire life has been shattered. I was passionate about my work and accomplished significant good in Dymchurch.’
‘I developed solid relationships with local youth, yet the village will undoubtedly suffer from not having a consistent community warden.’
A local resident, wishing to remain anonymous, commented: ‘Geoff is an excellent warden.
‘His Australian accent prompts some friendly teasing, but no one realized just how deeply it affected him.
‘He doesn’t seem to mind the kids joking about tossing another shrimp on the barbie or saying ‘G’day sport’, but it’s the incessant references to Australia from his colleagues that are clearly weighing him down.’
by Robbo Green
