02/06/2026
| Man jailed over arson attack and burglary at Ripley charity shop
A man who burgled and set fire to a beloved charity shop causing widespread damage to donations intended for children at Christmas has been jailed for six years.
Emergency services were called out to reports of a fire at The Children’s Society Charity shop in Oxford Street, Ripley, in the early hours of Tuesday 2 December last year.
A member of public said a man had fled the scene and he gave a description of the suspect to an officer.
A few minutes later the officer spotted the suspect – Michael Gibson - and stop searched him.
Gibson was found to be in possession of four lighters and some bracelets that had been stolen from the shop.
The building had to be evacuated whilst the blaze was being extinguished as there was a residential flat above the store and smoke had started to leak into the property.
CCTV also showed Gibson in the area around the time of the fire and was carrying a small box along with items stolen from the shop, which has been open and serving the community for 40 years.
Officers investigating the incident discovered that a money tin had been stolen, along with a hamper that shop volunteers had filled to raise some extra money for children in the lead up to Christmas.
Whilst in custody, Gibson used a racial slur when an officer restrained him. He also gave a no comment interview when questioned about the incident.
Gibson (49), of Fletcher Street, Ripley, admitted charges of causing arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, burglary and causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress by words, writing or behaviour.
Gibson was jailed for six years during an appearance at Derby Crown Court today (Tuesday 2 June.)
In a victim personal statement, Antony Richards, retail regional manager for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire at The Children’s Society, said: “Our dedicated staff and volunteers talk with great upset about how they feel violated. Many have been in tears – either upset, anger or both.
“They simply cannot even begin to understand what was going through the arsonists mind when he consciously chose to break in, steal from and set fire to our shop before walking away with a Christmas raffle hamper.
“Local businesses have been so supportive and the local Co-op stepping forward and providing us sales space within their store has been a lifeline and for which we are truly grateful.”
Following the incident, the Central Co-op in Ripley provided a space for The Children’s Society to continue trading as a pop-up shop in the lead up to Christmas.
The charity shop has since been restored and re-opened on Wednesday 15 April, which was attended by the Mayor of Ripley, councillor Colin Bailey, alongside lifestyle and charity shop influencer Lola Amuah.
Temporary Detective Constable Jess Knight, who led the investigation, said: “This was a case that deeply upset the community in Ripley as a lot of people in the area rely on the shop to help provide for their children over the Christmas period.
“All the public donations that the shop sells to raise money for children were ruined by either the fire or the smoke.
“However, the support that the community has shown the charity has been overwhelming and has since enabled the shop to re-open and continue trading, which says a lot for the community spirit in Ripley.
“I would like to pay tribute to the officers who responded quickly to the incident on the night and in collaboration with a member of the public managed to locate Gibson. This shows the value of having the police and public work together.
“On behalf of the investigation team, we are also pleased to see that Gibson received a sentence befitting the seriousness of his crime.
“He had no thoughts for anyone else’s safety in committing this crime and we are pleased that he has been served justice on behalf of the victims.”
Mr Richards, of The Children’s Society, said after the sentencing hearing: “Because of the generosity of this remarkable community, we are now back stronger than ever after the awful events in December which could have seen the end to more than 40 years of The Children's Society trading in Ripley.
"We have received truly incredible support, from the Co-op allowing us to set up a pop-up shop, from Lola Amuah and everyone who contributed to her fundraiser, and from our customers who continued to shop with us and who showed up in great numbers for our reopening in Oxford Street. We are hugely grateful."
Rachael Payne, Central Co-op Ripley store manager, said: “As fellow members of the local community, we felt it was important to support The Children's Society in continuing their invaluable work with children and young people.
“Our relationship has grown from hosting their pop-up shop within our store to celebrating the opening of their refurbished shop on Oxford Street.
“Our colleagues were stunned when the incident occurred, and the entire team was determined to help and welcome them.”
