Ed Sheeran’s manager says 'tout' case sets precedent

Singer Ed Sheeran’s manager has said a “ticket tout” prosecution has set an important precedent and should be celebrated.

Stuart Camp said he wanted ticket prices to be as “accessible for as many people as possible".

He spoke after two people from Dickleburgh, Norfolk, were convicted of fraudulent trading.

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

Jurors were told that Chenery and Woods were involved with a firm called TQ Tickets Ltd.

The trial heard how the firm bought large numbers of tickets on primary sites, including Ticketmaster, before reselling them on secondary ticketing platforms, such as Viagogo.

Tickets were for concerts by acts 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.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC described them as “ticket touts".

Maria Chenery-Woods, also of Dickleburgh, who ran the firm, and Paul Douglas, of nearby Pulham Market, admitted the same offences.

All four will be sentenced at a later date.

Trading standards officials described the case as a "landmark".

Lord Michael Bichard, the chair of National Trading Standards, said he hoped the prosecution supported progress towards a "step change" in the secondary ticketing market.

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

"The low point for me had been one of his earlier Teenage Cancer Trust concerts, where tickets were listed on Viagogo for thousands of pounds, but with none of the money going to charity.

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

"[This] prosecution will help protect music fans and sets an important precedent in the live entertainment industry that I hope will be celebrated by live music fans."

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