The owners of a paper mill have been found guilty of racial discrimination and constructive dismissal.

Italian machinist Salvatore Barresi compared his win against P Garnett & Son Ltd, of Otley, to a two-nil football victory.

After a three-day employment tribunal hearing in Leeds, the firm and respondents Arthur Firth, Peter Evans, Kevin Calder and Mick Wilshire lost their fight with Mr Barresi.

After an incident in 1995 and another in 2002, along with almost daily abuse, Mr Barresi accepted voluntary redundancy in October 2002, saying he had reached the end of his tether.

Mr Barresi said the first win had been accepting the redundancy and leaving the company, and the second was winning the case. The 38-year-old said he had been subjected to nearly seven years of abuse at the mill. Former colleagues denied the allegations, saying any incidents were simply banter.

Tribunal chairman Colin Grazin said the staff at the company had not had any form of equal opportunities training and the long-standing workers at the company had formed a close-knit relationship which Mr Barresi was not part of.

Kevin Calder, who has worked at the mill for 23 years, and David Dickenson, who has worked there for 36 years, both gave evidence yesterday before the hearing came to a close.

In his closing statement barrister Edward Legard, for the applicant, said: "It took seven years but eventually they, the 167 band of brothers, broke his spirit. This man is a strong person, he's quite tough and that is really what makes it all the more disturbing."

Mr Legard added that as Arthur Firth was a distant relation of Mr Barresi's wife Debbie, the couple had relied on him especially for help when they made complaints.

"Mr Barresi and his wife had placed their confidence in Mr Firth. They hoped he would become their guardian angel, but he did nothing," said Mr Legard.

After the hearing Mr Legard produced a written statement from Mr Barresi. "He particularly wishes to thank his wife for all her devoted love and support over what has been a very difficult period of his life," it read.

P Garnett & Son declined to comment until the tribunal's decision is released.