PAUL Jones is devastated that he was sacked from his job after taking time off to care for his injured wife.

Kerry Jones, 30, was a passenger in a car which was involved in a collision with a van in Gorse Hill on Tuesday afternoon.

She was taken to Great Western Hospital, suffering from bruised ribs and neck injuries.

Paul, 31, who works night shifts, rushed to the hospital and informed his employer, SW Group Logistics, that he would be taking the day off.

Later that evening, when the couple – who have four children – returned to their Godolphin Close home, Paul telephoned his workplace to inform them he would need to take a few days off to care for his family.

He said: “When I first rang, they were ok. Then, when I rang back and asked for the rest of the week off, I was passed to the manager, who said, ‘Don’t bother coming back.’ and he started shouting and swearing at me.

“I was really confused. I asked why and he said that I was messing him about.

“My wife is injured and I want to be there for her and our children.

“He didn’t seem to have any compassion and then I started to get angry.

“I understand that we’ve been busy, but there was no need to take it out on me.

“I received a letter today [Friday], saying that they have terminated my contract because of poor attendance.

“They just don’t get the severity of the situation and what they have done to me. I’m unemployed just before Christmas and my wife also isn’t well.”

The couple are really concerned about providing for their children – Kaci, 12, Paige, 11, Charlie, eight, and Ryan, four – this Christmas.

Kerry said: “I’m really disheartened. This was a scary ordeal for me and I’m in lots of pain. I’d like my husband to be around.

“I think to do this two weeks before Christmas is absolutely horrible.”

Paul has worked for the firm, loading articulated lorries at the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, since February and said he had never encountered any major problems until now.

“I have been there since February 10 and let go on December 10. I’ve only had time off during that period because my daughter was unwell in hospital and for my own health reasons.

“In total, I’ve had five days off and I don’t see that as poor attendance; especially when I’m working a 50-hour week.”

A SW Group Logistics spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate for us to make any comment as to the term of employment of Mr Jones and it is unfortunate that matters have come to this.”