Man who scammed people over tickets for concerts, football and tennis given suspended jail term at Antrim court
A man who scammed people regarding tickets for concerts, football and tennis has received a suspended prison sentence.
The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to eight charges of fraud by false representation. He had falsely claimed he was "selling event tickets".
Dylan Beard admitted eight charges regarding eight people relating to 2016 and 2017.
He appeared before Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday. The court was told the amount scammed by the defendant was "£1,200".
A prosecutor said the "defendant was alerted for arrest in 2018 but wasn't located until 2025".
The defendant had lived in Northern Ireland but now has an address listed as at Beverley Gardens, Henlow, Bedfordshire.
Tuesday's Court was told that in 2017 police were contacted by "numerous" members of the public alleging they were defrauded in a ticket scam.
The court was told the defendant "used social media to lure victims who were seeking tickets to various events including football, music and tennis tickets".
The defendant sent pictures of his face with his passport to "convince" people he was genuine. He was claiming he had tickets that he didn't want or need and was selling them on for money.
When he received the money the defendant would "string victims along" with messages saying he had not received money or had difficulties with ticket providers.
Beard had also claimed "various family issues" prevented him refunding or supplying the tickets. The defendant had a criminal record including a conviction for fraud.
A defence solicitor said the defendant is unemployed and had been going through a difficult time and "succumbed to temptation to obtain funds". The solicitor said the offences were "always going to be detected".
District Judge Nigel Broderick said it was "a very nasty thing to do. You go online and somebody advertises tickets for an event and you pay money in good faith and lo and behold the whole thing is a sham".
The defendant was given a 16 months prison term, suspended for three years. He was also ordered to pay restitution of £1,214 at £100 per month.
The judge said if the payments are not made the defendant will be jailed for six months.