David Hingst, an engineer from Melbourne, Australia sued his ex-boss for $1,256,600 (£1,000,000) because he would repeatedly fart at him inside his small, windowless office. 

AAP reported that Hingst said his former boss would “lift his bum and fart” on him in the office. He sued his former employer Construction Engineering and told the court “flatulence was a form of bullying” and accused his ex-colleague Greg Short for being a serial farter. 

Because of Short’s constant farting, 56-year-old Hingst sprayed deodorant on him and named him “Mr Stinky.” 

“I would be sitting with my face to the wall and he would come into the room, which was small and had no windows. He would fart behind me and walk away. He would do this five or six times a day.” said Hingst. 

Hingst said the constant flatulence had given him “severe stress” and is seeking $1.8million (£970,761) in compensation.

Although the case was thrown out by the Supreme Court of Victoria last April, Hingst has decided to appeal. 

Justice Rita Zammit said that while the farting did occur numerous times, it “would not necessarily amount to bullying”.

After the hearing, Short said that he was not aware he was doing it, “but I may have done it once or twice, maybe.” But he was in complete denial that he did these acts “with the intention of distressing or harassing” Hingst.

“I don’t recall doing so, so I’m not flat out saying I didn’t or I did. I just can’t remember doing it. But if he alleges I did it,” said Short. 

Phillip Hamilton, also a former employee told the courts that he remembered Hingst “got quite offended by some of the stuff that went on.”

“Obviously there were incidences where (Mr Short) had a propensity to walk over to the printer, which was next to me and I think (Mr Hingst) sat behind where the printer was and (Mr Short) would flatulate (sic), he would fart you know, and that would happen quite frequently,” said Hamilton. 

After that statement, Hingst then again repeated his claims saying, “He thrusted his bum at me while he’s at work.”

“And you sprayed deodorant at him,” Justice Phillip Priest said.

Justice Priest said that the key issue to Hingst’s original was not the farts, but more on the alleged bullying phone calls. 

Hingst was claiming that the behavior of his ex-boss was part of a conspiracy so as to make him resign and said that during his stint at Construction Engineering, he was caused psychiatric injuries. 

Hingst represented himself in the trial and appeal, and is seeking another appeal on several grounds. He claims that he wasn’t given a fair trial because of the pressure he felt from Justice Zammit when she questioned the witnesses. He also felt a bias against him throughout the trial, although Justice Priest said that the trial judge showed “remarkable latitude” towards Hingst throughout the 18-day proceedings. 

 

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