Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

'World's worst boss' taunted employees about rape and threatened to dissolve them in acid

 

Rob Williams
Wednesday 05 December 2012 17:38 GMT
Comments
Kevin Andrew threatened to dissolve his workers in acid
Kevin Andrew threatened to dissolve his workers in acid (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An Australian laundry owner who threatened to dissolve his workers in acid and taunted them about being raped has been fined $50,000.

Kevin Andrews, 61, was convicted by a court in Melbourne of bullying several of his workers physically, psychologically and verbally at his business between 2007 and 2009.

Andrews had repeatedly threatened his staff, warning them he would burn them in acid or set his dogs on them. He also taunted them about a rapist in the area.

On one occasion Andrews asked an employee to bring his dogs to the laundry "and if an employee stuffed up they would be bitten by the dogs – that is, the employee would be locked up with the dogs in a shipping container".

The magistrate, Hugh Radford, who described Andrews' behaviour as "disgusting and appalling" said the effects of the bullying on staff were "harrowing and profound".

Mr Radford also made reference to an incident where Andrews told a woman she "should have been drowned at birth" and called another "porky", a "wog" and a "big fat bush pig".

He warned his employees he would dissolve them in acid, and told them a rapist was "waiting for them".

He also said that all women were "dogs" and were "only good for one thing".

According to www.theage.com.au Andrews also yelled at staff, hit their desk with sticks, or threw items at them.

The magistrate, who noted a fine was the only sentence he could impose for the charge, convicted and fined Andrews $50,000 – the maximum available was $53,715 – with $50,000 costs.

In his remarks he said it was clear the employees had worked hard for Andrews and "in many ways were financially trapped".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in