thanks for your help. it is realy appreciated, were only a small co. with me and 20 employees, HR is not my strongest point, though I do try my best with the help of acas. Sometimes its just nice to have a back up opinoin! Thanks again.

Thank you that makes sense. Each incident was gross misconduct on its own. Ok Lad, but arrogant, has attitude with all the younger lads, bullies them almost and the one that he denied was hitting another lad. He denies doing it, the other lad was his freind so doesnt want to make a statement, and one other lad has. Not straight forward at all.

I have been summarily dismissed someone for gross misconduct, we had an investigation and disciplanory hearings, and I was left with two options, demotion and final written warning, or summarily dissmissal, there were 5 alleged incidents of gross misconduct One I could prove and was admitted, and 4 I have great probable doubt to beleive that hes lying due to supporting statements from other staff. he has worked for us 7 months. Denied everything and tripped his self up numerous times in hearing. Said everyone was lying and it was a conspiracy against him. There has been two previous incidence of insolence on his file, though no action was taking other than mediation. Have I done the right thing?