Gillingham chief Paul Scally has slammed the sentence handed to a fan who broke into the club's stadium three times.

The no-nonsense chairman has described the suspended term given to Sam Turner as "absolutely disgusting" and "farcical" and is looking at options on appealing.

Joe Coshan reports for KMTV

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Turner dressed in his Gills' top and scarf before raiding Priestfield in December and January.

The dad-of-two stole bottles of booze before returning to take a safe which contained a ring worth up to £45,000.

He also took cash and ledgers containing club history.

Turner was caught after police followed drag marks caused by the safe to his home in nearby Gordon Road.

But the 47-year-old has avoided an immediate "red" card after the judge suspended a two-year jail sentence after he admitted the burglary.

Recorder Daniel Benjamin told him he found it "galling" he had targeted the club during a vulnerable period when Covid had prohibited fans from attending games and the pandemic had reduced revenue.

Eve George, defending, claimed Turner had been walking past the ground and had read a tweet that booze was in the ground – he broke in by forcing a fire door.

Prosecutor Rose Slowe told how he stole the alcohol before returning twice to steal a lawnmower, cash, four ledgers, and finally the safe, more cash and spare car keys to a Toyota and a Mercedes.

She said CCTV caught him dragging and pushing the safe from the fourth floor down stairs, gouging marks on the walls and then to his home.

Police followed the marks and discovered the safe – which Turner had opened – and some of the contents including the ring. But the cash had gone, the court heard.

Ms George added Turner had been battling alcohol problems but until Covid had his own rubbish removal business.

He received a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to do 210 hours of unpaid work.

Turner will also now have to wear a device which will monitor if he drinks alcohol.

The judge told him Gillingham FC performed a valuable service to the community and he should be "thoroughly ashamed" he had raided the team he professed to support at such a vulnerable time.

However, Mr Scally is far from happy with the conclusion of the case.

"He was brazen, reckless and showed no consideration for anyone else..."

He said: "What sort of message is this sending from the judge and the justice system – that crime pays? Kent Police and the CPS did a fantastic job and he was caught within 12 hours.

"He smashed his way and caused an awful lot of damage. The safe was destroyed and worth £2,500 alone.

"It does not matter whether it was somebody's house or office or the club. He was brazen, reckless and showed no consideration for anyone else.

"I will be appealing against the sentence – 100%. Let's just say, he can't be very clever dragging the safe just 500 metres away."

With additional reporting from Nicola Jordan

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