Mitchells & Butlers does not expect any fallout from the high-profile murder conviction of former employee Mark Dixie but has stressed it will do everything it can to assist any staff member affected by the case.

Dixie was found guilty of the murder of Croydon teenager Sally Anne Bowman last week after a three-week trial and will now serve a minimum of 34 years in prison.

He was arrested for the murder in his chef whites while working at the Ye Old Six Bells, one of M&B’s Vintage Inns pubs, in Horley, Surrey, on 27 June 2006.

A spokesman for M&B said that with very few details disclosed publicly about the nature of the investigation following the arrest, no-one connected to the Ye Old Six Bells required any special measures such as counselling or compassionate leave.

“As a company, the welfare of our employees is of paramount importance to us and such measures are always available to pub staff as and when necessary.  Clearly we will do everything we can to assist any employee of the pub affected by this case.

“However, it is worth noting that Mark Dixie was arrested in the summer of 2006 and in the 20 months that have elapsed since this time, many of the pub's staff have moved on in the natural manner,” he added.

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By Christopher Walton

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