A FORMER York woman soldier who accused Army chiefs of sexual discrimination and victimisation has been paid £21,500 damages, it emerged today.

Nina Middlemass, 28, who served as a radio technician with 2 Signals Regiment at Imphal Barracks, in York, took the Ministry of Defence to an Employment Tribunal last May, saying that officers had told her to have two abortions or risk being hounded out of the service.

Miss Middlemass, whose great-grandfather Francis Miles was awarded the Victoria Cross during the First World War and has a barracks at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, named after him, said she was never informed of a maternity leave option, although legislation laying down maternity rights was introduced in August 1990.

The former lance corporal, who said her problems with officers began when she returned to work at a new unit at Imphal Barracks after maternity leave, further claimed she was victimised to the brink of suicide after eventually giving birth to her daughter Kara, who is now four.

She told the tribunal how she was made to do seven-mile runs before being posted to Bosnia, only ten weeks after giving birth to her daughter. Today Miss Middlemass said the Army had settled the case.

She had received £21,500 as payment for injury to her feelings, had been discharged from the Army on medical grounds, and would also receive a pension of £3,000 a year, she said.

"The Army have not admitted they were in the wrong, but I believe the money does that," Miss Middlemass said.

"I still feel cheated and angry that I have never been able to clear my name and that my career has been ruined."

Her grandfather, who was in the Army, was evacuated from Dunkirk, and her father, Carlton, served 22 years in the RAF.

Miss Middlemass, from Ryton, near Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, said: "I come from a military family, who have served their country proudly.

"I am angry because I feel the family name has been tarnished even though I was not to blame."

Her case was backed by the Equal Opportunities Commission.

A spokeswoman said of the settlement: "Although there hasn't been a ruling here, this case and others like it prove that organisations have to be vigilant against discriminatory behaviour.

"Other cases brought by women in the services have been won after behaviour and attitudes within the forces, as claimed by Nina Middlemass in her case, have been ruled to be discriminatory."

The Ministry of Defence would not comment, other than to confirm that an out-of-court settlement had been reached.