Charity swindler was son of boss

THE man pictured right stole from Tunbridge Wells's most vulnerable people.

Martyn Gibson was a house manager at much-loved charity Pepenbury when he fleeced £1,200 from its residents, who have learning disabilities.

Heartless Gibson, whose father Roger is the charity's chief executive, was even jeered by onlookers as he was led into the prison van in handcuffs to begin his 90-day jail sentence on Tuesday.

Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court heard that before he was caught last June, Gibson, of Woodhill Park, Pembury, appeared to be doing well. At just 28, he had a senior managerial role at Pepenbury and no financial worries.

But inwardly he was consumed by feelings of inferiority to his father and his sister Andrea, who is a manager at the charity.

As a carer, Gibson had access to the bank accounts of residents in his care, along with records of their finances kept by Pepenbury.

Between November 2008 and June 2009 he took money from two residents, totalling £1,200.

Despite two internal audits of Pepenbury's finances, Gibson's crimes were not discovered until a fellow carer noticed a resident's overdrawn account.

Police were called in and Gibson was charged with two counts of fraud and one of false accounting. He admitted all charges.

Prosecutor Mary Jacobsen said: "He told police he took the money as a cry for help. He found it hard being a house manager and he hoped he'd get found out."

Defending, Sasha Alexander said: "It became very difficult to communicate his failures to his father. He is deeply ashamed and disgusted at his own actions."

Mr Gibson and his wife Liz held hands as chairman of the Bench Martin Beck sentenced their son to 90 days, half of which will be served in custody. The stolen money has been repaid.

The court case sent shock- waves through the Pepenbury community.

A source there described Gibson as "scum" and said there were calls for his father to resign.

But Pepenbury board chairman Jean Jones stood by their chief executive, saying: "Roger Gibson has been employed at Pepenbury for 10 years and is largely responsible for making significant changes to the charity and its operations.

"During his time, the charity has grown from being an employer of 55 people to one employing 250.

"He has not been involved in the investigation concerning these matters and he continues to have the full support of the board of directors and the senior management group."

A new position has been created to monitor residents' accounts weekly, she said.