Brian Gorman and Ben JonesAllegations of data theft from London recruitment agency Social Workline and bullying emerged in early testimony of a civil suit that was being heard in the High Court when Recruiter went to press last week.

Social Workline owner and founder Richard Pomerenke is suing Action First, its former owner Paul Godfrey, and recruiter Billy Richard.

The case focuses on allegations that former Social Workline recruiter Billy Richard took confidential data on candidates with him to a rival recruitment agency in early 2003. But the court also heard how Richard claimed that bullying from his boss at Social Workline led him to attempt suicide.

Steve Mullins, Richard's manager, told the court Richard was on course to fail his six-month probationary period with the firm.

Nigel Tozzi QC, counsel for Action First, asked Mullins about alleged bullying.

Richard had claimed he was bullied by his immediate supervisor Michelle Roberts about his sexuality. Mullins, who left Social Workline at the end of 2003, said he had been aware of a "personality clash" between Roberts and Richard.

Tozzi dubbed Richard "Billy Liar" (the name of a play by Keith Waterhouse) as he had made up stories and did not take responsibility when things went wrong.

Mullins agreed that there had been inaccuracies in Richard's statement to the court.

Computer forensic experts claimed that Richard had appeared to access data that was not relevant to his work.

It was put to Mullins that someone could have used Richard's computer while he was out, but Mullins said there would be no reason for anyone to do this.

Mullins claimed in a written statement that Action First had made it a condition of employing Richard that he brought a list of workers with him from Social Workline. However, Mullins had to retract the statement under cross-examination as he could offer no evidence.

Richard left Social Workline at the end of February to work for Action First.

Mullins said he had had calls from workers on the firm's books saying they had been called by staff at Action First, encouraging them to sign up with Action First.

Soon afterwards, Mullins visited Action First and met with Godfrey, who denied any wrongdoing.

In August 2004, after the time of the alleged misuse of information, Godfrey sold Action First to Public Recruitment Group for somewhere between £11.3m and £16.5m, depending on the achievement of performance targets.

The trial was still going on as Recruiter went to press. Action First, Godfrey and Richard all denied liability and are contesting the claims.