Home / Crime and Justice / Waitress Wins £35K Case, Gets Nothing
Waitress Wins £35K Case, Gets Nothing
19 Apr
Summary
- Waitress won £35,526 in race discrimination case.
- Firm ordered to pay payout has accrued £888,000 in debt.
- She was harassed over her accent and wrongly accused of theft.
Ana Beatriz Machado, a waitress from Brazil, has not received any of the £35,526 awarded to her after a race discrimination case against the former Coyote Ugly Saloon in Liverpool. The employment tribunal, held in October 2025, found that Ms. Machado was harassed due to her accent and unfairly dismissed on New Year's Eve 2022.
Ms. Machado endured humiliation from a colleague who commented on her voice and customers not understanding her. She was also falsely accused of stealing money by her assistant manager. The tribunal ruled that her dismissal was an act of harassment related to her nationality.
However, the firm that previously ran Coyote Ugly, Swansea Audio Ltd, reportedly owes a substantial £888,000, according to Companies House filings up to June 2025. Ms. Machado expressed her dismay, calling the lack of payment "disgusting" and feeling that the company used its financial situation to fight her, making the victory "only half a win."
The substantial payout was to cover injury to feelings and past losses. The ordeal caused Ms. Machado significant anxiety, depression, and financial hardship, impacting her ability to care for her daughter. She eventually found new employment but lived in fear of making mistakes.
