A FUNERAL director who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a colleague has found work at a rival firm.

Sky Knight, 38, took a case against Huddersfield-based Highfield Funeral Service for sexual harassment and unfair dismissal earlier this month.

The Slaithwaite mum-of-four reached a confidential settlement with the Trinity Street firm after one day of the two-day tribunal.

And now Mrs Knight has taken up a post at Marsden-based Pearson Funeral Service – a company which was mentioned during the hearing.

Clive Pearson said yesterday that he was happy to employ her.

“She’s been working with us voluntarily for a while and we decided to take on a new member of staff,” he said.

“I don’t think we’ve had a lady funeral director in the 90 years we’ve been in business. This is a first for our company.

“Everyone seems to like her and she gets on with the clients and families. Some families prefer a woman taking care of things.”

Mr Pearson added: “Sky is a good friend of the family as well.”

Mrs Knight’s tribunal took place in Leeds on August 2.

The hearing was told that embalmer Billy Shannon allegedly grabbed her by the ponytail, gave her a French kiss and groped her breast as they went into the cellar at the firm’s premises to change a fuse last August.

Mrs Knight fled when Mr Shannon tripped on his apron.

The tribunal heard that the embalmer admitted touching her hip and bottom on the stairs to the cellar.

Two weeks later Mrs Knight was warned about her flirtatious behaviour, low-cut tops and short skirts, though no concerns had been raised previously.

Disciplinary proceedings were then launched as bosses at Highfield became concerned over the closeness of Mrs Knight’s relationship with Mr Pearson.

The tribunal heard how the pair travelled in one of his firm’s vehicles to collect a body from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

This was for a Highfield client and Mrs Knight was said to have acted without permission.

The hearing was also told that she was “carrying on” with married Mr Pearson and that rumours of their relationship were the talk of Huddersfield Crematorium.

Mrs Knight denies having an improper relationship.

Highfields sacked her for gross misconduct four months after the cellar incident.

But Mr Pearson said yesterday that he was happy to employ Mrs Knight because much of the evidence at the hearing “wasn’t true”.

“We weren’t put off by the tribunal at all,” he said.