A security guard left with a bullet lodged in his spine after being gunned down in a robbery has lost his battle for damages.

But Geoffrey Henser-Leather, pictured, who hoped for compensation after he was shot during a cash snatch attempt six years ago, says he has won a victory for security guards across the country.

The former guard lost a kidney and part of his liver when he bravely refused to hand over cash in the petrol station raid and was hit in the spine by a bullet.

Mr Henser-Leather, of Bingley, claimed he was entitled to compensation for his injuries because Securicor Cash Services Ltd - his employer at the time - hadn't provided him with body armour.

And at Bradford County Court yesterday, Judge Simon Hawksworth, QC, agreed he should have been provided with the armour.

But he rejected the claim for damages saying he was not satisfied the 61-year-old would have worn the protection.

Now Mr Henser-Leather will have to continue to survive without a wage, but claims his main concern was fighting to improve conditions for his colleagues. Speaking after the decision, he said: "I may have lost but at least it has been recognised that all security companies should be providing their staff with protective armour.

"As long as other people have benefited from this case being brought to light I am satisfied."

Mr Henser-Leather, of Lady Lane, was forced to retire a year after the shooting in Scott Hall Road, Leeds, on August 31, 1995.

He was rushed to St James' Hospital in Leeds and underwent emergency surgery, but he lost his gallbladder, one kidney and part of his liver. The bullet remains lodged in his spine.

"Every day I am in pain," he said.

"Getting out of bed in a morning is hard because my spine seizes up during the night. Walking is often a difficulty and I have trouble breathing. I also had one-to-one nursing for a long time after leaving hospital.

"But the main reason for bringing the case to court was to alert the industry of the violence that is out there which my colleagues may have to face."

Mr Henser-Leather had claimed throughout the case that it was the responsibility of his former employer, Securicor Cash Services Limited, to provide its staff with protective body armour while in transit with large amounts of cash.

The court also heard that in 1992 Securicor staff had been provided with protective clothing for a trial period but it was removed.

Judge Hawksworth said in making his decision he was conscious of the importance of the case for security businesses across the country.

The case was supported and funded by the GMB trade union and now the former security guard is deciding whether to appeal.

A spokesman for GMB said the decision was "very disappointing."

"But the GMB feels a moral victory has been established in this case, especially as it was the first of its kind.

"The company was in breach of regulations and the security industry as a whole should have been providing body armour to their employees.

"However, we have got leave to appeal and GMB will be carefully considering this with solicitors and barristers."

Penny Stead, the solicitor representing Mr Henser-Leather on behalf of the GMB, said the decision could have far-reaching implications:

"As far as I'm concerned that industry as a whole is going to have to look at providing protective clothing for all its employees."

Securicor Cash Services Ltd refused to comment after the case.