News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A pub landlord allegedly sacked a teenage barmaid by text message just hours after she suffered a miscarriage, telling her: "You won't be in the right frame of mind."

Amy Larman, 18, from Hertfordshire, was heartbroken when doctors told her that her unborn baby's heart had stopped beating at 15 weeks' pregnant.

She claims she subsequently texted her boss, Adam Groves, at 9pm saying she would be unable to make her shift that night because of the devastating news.

But in response, Mr Groves reportedly fired her from her part-time job.

He told her: "No worries hun will call it a day. Hope all goes well with everything xxx"

Miss Larman, who had taken on the job last year to earn money for her unborn baby, was confused by the landlord's text.

(Image: SWNS)

She quickly texted him: "Does this mean I've lost my job? Omg [oh my god] Adam seriously upset."

Mr Groves, 45, replied: "I've been very fare from day 1 with you (sic).

"I can't run a business with staff that text me at 9pm at night saying that they can't do there shift.

"Also you won't be in the right frame of mind after your sad news. Sorry."

(Image: SWNS)

Miss Larman says she was left gobsmacked by the landlord's comments.

Read more:

"I told him the situation and he had no absolutely no sympathy," she said.

"He said he had to let me go because he could not have staff on the payroll who let him down.

"He knew I was pregnant - that's why he put me on part-time hours.

(Image: SWNS)

"You don't treat your staff like that. I think it's awful that I have had to go through this and when I'm down I get kicked."

Miss Larman, from Welwyn Garden City, had been working at The Hollybush pub near her home for around three months when she was sacked.

She was booked for a scan during the daytime on January 15 and insists she told Mr Groves in advance about the appointment.

She was also due to work a shift that evening.

(Image: SWNS)

Miss Larman was seen at nearby Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, where she was given the tragic news that her unborn baby had died.

She was transferred to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage for the termination and called at her mother's house on the way.

Read more:

Miss Larman said: "After the scan I was told the baby's heart had stopped beating. I was so shocked. I'm still in shock.

"I was told I had to go to Lister and I was not due in until the evening at work.

"I went to my mum's first, then went to go to Lister and that's when I rang him. I had no problems with him before."

She said her family were furious once they heard about her losing her job.

(Image: SWNS)

She added: "My dad wanted to rip his head off and I should have let him. He is rude and obnoxious.

"It has upset my whole family because they have had to see me go through this.

"I sent my sister to go and get my wages. He had nothing to say - not even 'I hope she is all right'. He just said: 'She will get her P45'.

"He had no remorse. Now I have just got to deal with it once I have got my head round it myself."

Mr Groves denies being unkind to Miss Larman and says she had let him down on several previous occasions.

He said she only let him know she would not be doing her shift after she was due to be working.

(Image: PA)

He said: "She texted me at 9pm at night saying she had trouble.

Read more:

"I have been very lenient with the girl. Just last week she signed a temporary contract because she failed the last one."

He claimed Miss Larman only let him know that she was going in for a scan at 9pm on the day she was supposed to be working and did not mention a miscarriage.

He said he told her that they should "call it a day" and she immediately asked for money.

However, Miss Larman says her texts to her boss show that she did tell him her baby had to be removed and that she 'couldn't stop crying' because of it.

Miss Larman, one of seven siblings, is now looking for a new job.