The former chair of Lincoln and District Mencap and his wife are appearing in court faced with charges of theft and fraud from vulnerable clients and the charity.

Peter Childs, a former chair of the charity which supports people with learning difficulties, is currently on trial at Lincoln Crown Court (pictured) alongside his wife Alison Childs, who was accommodation manager of the charity at the time.  

The charges, which span a six-year period from December 2005 to December 2011, relate to more than £500,000 of missing money.

The charity is currently 745 days overdue on its accounts.

The Lincolnshire Echo has reported that the former chair allegedly paid his Lithuanian mistress a monthly wage from the charity’s funds, even though she was never employed by Lincoln and District Mencap.

Inga Stasytyte was employed as a housekeeper at his farmhouse home in Nettleham.

It is reported that Stasytyte said she began a relationship with Mr Childs after his wife left the marital home and they later had a son together.

Stasytyte said she was unaware that she was being paid with the charity’s money.

Peter and Alison Childs are alleged to have taken state benefits and savings from clients as well as overcharging them for utility bills at their accommodation. The prosecution has also alleged that they stole large sums of money from the charity’s funds.

The couple are also alleged to have defrauded Lincolnshire County Council by inflating employee numbers and staff working hours in order to obtain extra grant funding.

Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, told the jury that the crimes came to light after Peter Childs suffered a stroke and his wife took time off work and moved back home to look after him.

He said: “These two defendants held a considerable position of trust. They had the responsibility of looking after people with varying degrees of mental difficulties. The defendants exploited that position of trust and dishonestly took money from these vulnerable people. A considerable amount of money.

“The users' benefit monies were taken by these defendants for their own use.

“This was thoroughly dishonest. These are people who did not have the ability to understand what was happening. They specifically needed help with finances. In lay terms it is stealing. They [the Childs] were intending to keep it. These people are never going to get it back.”

Peter Childs, 61, and Alison Childs, 48, of Hall Lane, Nettleham, Lincolnshire, each deny 13 charges of theft and 15 charges of fraud. Alison Childs denies a further charge of fraud.

Peter Childs has admitted one charge of fraud by abuse of position.

The trial is ongoing.

In 2010 the charity, which is not affiliated with the Royal Mencap Society, had an income of £41,058.

No-one at the charity could be contacted for comment.