The case of Martin Sargeant, who was jailed for five years for stealing church funds, is highlighting efforts to learn more about gambling-driven crime
Photograph: Ian West/PAPhotograph: Ian West/PAo clergy and parishioners, senior church official Martin Sargeant seemed to have a gift for financial enterprise, forging new links with business and helping to breathe new life into historic buildings.
Sargeant was a gambling addict, and had been hooked on fruit machines since he was a teenager. He fuelled his addiction with stolen Church of England funds. The court was read a statement from Professor Henrietta Bowden-Jones, Royal College of Psychiatrists lead on behavioural addictions, which said “we must acknowledge gambling disorder as a mental illness”. While on bail, Sargeant had been receiving residential treatment for gambling addiction from the Gordon Moody charity.
As his losses mounted, he diverted funds intended for restoring the fortunes of London’s churches into his personal bank accounts. Over a 11-year period, he betted millions with more than 100 gambling websites while diverting grants from the City Church Fund for his sprees. He was given several gifts by the betting outlet, including an Omega watch that retails at £7,597. He was also given Louis Vuitton luggage, Apple computers and electronics including an iPhone 7, Ray-Ban sunglasses and a Montblanc watch.
Several police forces are working on projects to help establish the scale of gambling-linked crime and provide early support for those who need it.
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