A 29-year-old man has been given a suspended prison sentence at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena, after admitting to defrauding people through an online ticket scam.

Dylan Beard, whose address is listed as Beverley Gardens, Henlow, Bedfordshire, pleaded guilty to eight charges of fraud by false representation relating to events between 2016 and 2017.

The court was told that Beard used social media to advertise tickets for various events, including football, music and tennis, claiming he had tickets he could not use and wished to sell. He sent images of his face with his passport to convince victims he was genuine, but after receiving payments he would string victims along with excuses such as not receiving money or difficulties with ticket providers, and at times cited family issues preventing refunds or supply of tickets.

The amount scammed totalled £1,200, with eight separate victims identified.

Police were contacted in 2017 by numerous members of the public alleging they were defrauded, and Beard was alerted for arrest in 2018 but was not located until 2025.

Beard had previously lived in Northern Ireland and has a criminal record including a conviction for fraud.

A defence solicitor said Beard is unemployed and had been going through a difficult time, leading him to succumb to temptation to obtain funds. The solicitor acknowledged the offences were always going to be detected.

District Judge Nigel Broderick described the offence as a nasty thing to do, noting that people pay money in good faith only to find the whole thing is a sham.

Beard was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for three years, and ordered to pay restitution of £1,214 at £100 per month. The judge warned that if payments are not made, Beard will be jailed for six months.