Ed Sheeran's manager says 'Ticket Dout' case sets precedent

Singer Ed Sheeran's manager says the „Ticket Dout” case has set an important precedent and should be celebrated.

Stuart Camp said he wanted ticket prices to be „accessible to as many people as possible”.

He was speaking after two men from Tickleburgh, Norfolk, were convicted of fraudulent trading.

Lynda Chenery and Mark Woods bought and resold £6.5m worth of concert tickets, Leeds Crown Court heard.

The investigation revealed how the company purchased large numbers of tickets on primary platforms including Ticketmaster before reselling them on secondary ticketing platforms such as ViaCoco.

Tickets to concerts including Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga and Little Mix – as well as Strictly Come Dancing live shows.

Chenery and Woods were each found guilty of three counts of fraudulent trading.

Lawyer Jonathan Sandiford Casey described them as „tickets”.

Maria Chenery-Woods, of Dickleburgh, who ran the company, and Paul Douglas, of nearby Fulham Market, pleaded guilty to the same offences.

The sentencing of the four will be announced later.

Trading standards officials described the case as a „landmark”.

Lord Michael Pichard, head of National Trading Standards, said he hoped the prosecution would lead to a „step change” in the secondary ticketing market.

Mr Camp, director of Grumpy Old Management, added in a statement published by National Trading Standards: “Ed Sheeran's 2018 summer stadium tour was when we really took a stand against online ticketing.

„A low point for me was one of her previous Teenage Cancer Trust concerts where tickets were listed for thousands of pounds but none of the money went to the charity.

“We want to keep ticket prices as accessible to as many people as possible and hope that everyone gets a good seat at a fair price.

„[This] The prosecution will help protect music fans and set an important precedent in the live entertainment industry that I believe will be celebrated by live music fans.”