'Heartless' fraudsters stole thousands in tickets scam

The fans had wanted tickets to watch Liverpool play in the Champions League final

Two men who swindled thousands of pounds from football fans eager to get tickets for Liverpool's 2022 Champions League final in Paris have been sentenced.

One victim paid £8,500 for top tier “category one” tickets while two other men paid £2,500 for two tickets each.

But no tickets ever materialised and the money was never returned, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

John Stuart, 42, of Jarrett Road, Kirkby, was jailed for eight months and Greg O'Neill, 41, of Beaconsfield, Prescot, was given a two-year community order for his part in the scam.

Stuart had pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud in an earlier hearing, while O’Neill admitted transferring criminal property.

The victims had been in contact with Stuart via his mobile phone, with the money then paid into the bank account of O'Neill, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

The pair were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

O’Neill would then transfer the money to some of Stuart’s relatives and friends.

The fans realised they had been victims of fraud when, after getting in touch with the men on WhatsApp a few days later, it became clear they had no tickets for the game.

O’Neill told the victims he was not involved in the scam and simply allowed Stuart to use his bank account for the money because he was scared of Stuart and his family.

Stuart finally admitted he did not have the tickets and said he would try to pay the men back, but no money was forthcoming.

When arrested on 20 October 2022, Stuart admitted he had taken the money and not provided any tickets but claimed it was due to circumstances beyond his control.

He has since been ordered to repay the full amounts.

O’Neill was also ordered to carry out 15 days of a rehabilitation activity and was given a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

District Crown Prosecutor Brian Forshaw said: “John Stuart is a heartless ticket scammer who stole thousands of pounds from LFC fans who were keen to see their team in the Champions League Final.

“Stuart exploited their enthusiasm and he never returned any of their money."

He said O'Neill had "a lesser role but allowed Stuart to use his bank account to launder the cash and deflect suspicion from Stuart".

Mr Forshaw said the scam "unravelled quickly and the two men are now convicted criminals".