 Rick Widdowson, headteacher at Garston primary school, where Ms Gibbons taught for more than 10 years, said: “Gillian is one of the most respected and conscientious teachers I know. “She was well-loved by pupils and parents alike and although she left us five years ago she is still thought of very fondly by staff here. “She gave up a huge part of her life to go out to a place so inhospitable and poverty stricken to try and make a difference and help these children. “We are all very shocked and a little angry that someone who has gone with the best intentions to help has been treated in this way.” In Liverpool a family spokeswoman said Mrs Gibbons’s children John and Jessica, both in their 20s, did not want to enflame the situation by commenting. Chairman of the National Primary Headteachers’ Association and head at St Christopher’s primary, Speke Peter Price said Mrs Gibbons taught his children and was “a very good and enthusiastic teacher”. But he said her case should be a wake up call. He added: “Although it would be near impossible to know the finer details of local customs it is important teachers check with consulate and other agencies, and be fully aware of the more serious practices, traditions and religious and local sensibilities.” Headteacher of Dovecot Gillian Jones said: “We are all naturally shocked and extremely concerned at this news. “Gillian is a very talented and able teacher and she was extremely popular with the pupils at this school. “She had kept in regular touch after she left at the end of the summer term, and the last we heard from her was that she was happy and finding her work very rewarding. “We are all thinking of her at this difficult time and are absolutely certain that there is no way that she will have intentionally insulted any religion.” Former neighbour Peter Sorensen, 64, a retired maintenance worker, said: “I think what has happened must have come out of the blue – it is dangerous territory, she probably hasn’t realised that.” grego’keeffe@liverpoolecho.co.uk | 
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