A CROOKED ticket tout who stole thousands of pounds he had received from people in Warwickshire and across the midlands for sport and concert tickets has been jailed.
Thieving Alan Bott had denied charges of fraud, but pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to an alternative offence of theft from his duped customers.
The 44-year-old, of Balkwell Green, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, who also admitted two other theft charges and an attempted burglary, was jailed at Coventry Crown Court for a total of 21 months.
Prosecutor Paul Allman said Bott had sold tickets to sporting events and concerts for some time, with customers paying up front and then receiving tickets or entry being arranged.
Mr Allman, who said many people had received tickets they had purchased, but in 2015 21 victims paid a total of £10,870 for tickets they never received, mainly for concerts in and around the Midlands.
When he was eventually arrested following a complaint to Warwickshire Police, he made full admissions, explaining he had ‘fallen on hard times’ and needed the money.
Bott’s other offences took place in his native north east.
William Douglas-Jones, defending, said: “He is anxious to pay back to those who have lost the money his offences have caused. At present he’s on universal credit, but he has a job offer. He would wish to pay £500 a month towards any compensation.”
Jailing Bott, Judge Philip Gregory told him: “You worked as a ticket salesman, and over the best part of a year you offered to supply tickets to 21 people not intending to honour the commitment to supply those tickets.
“From those 21 people you stole on average £200 from each of them.
“Bearing in mind your age and previous convictions, I have come to the conclusion that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”
