Celine Dion tickets land postwoman in court

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A PAIR of mail order Celine Dion concert tickets was intercepted by a Burton postwoman and sold on eBay by her partner, a court has heard.

The tickets fetched £210 in the online auction, but the couple who bought them were turned away at the door of the NEC in Birmingham because they had been reported missing and cancelled.

Nick Burn, prosecuting, told Stafford Crown Court that the concert tickets and tickets for a memorabilia event were intercepted by Royal Mail employee Stephanie Appleby.

Both were then put up for auction on eBay by her partner, Glyn Hodgins.

Mr Burn said the Celine Dion tickets were reported missing around a year ago by the intended recipients and they were voided.

Mr Turner bought them from Hodgins on eBay, but when he and his wife got to the NEC they were refused entry and had to purchase another pair of tickets to see the show.

Mr Turner’s complaints via e-mail to Hodgins were brushed off and he alerted the police. During the investigation it was discovered that Appleby had also intercepted tickets for a memorabilia event and Hodgins had sold those on eBay for £28.

When questioned, Hodgins told the police he bought and sold things on eBay to make himself ’a bit of pocket money’. Appleby made no comment.

Appleby, 23, and Hodgins, 32, of Queen’s Court, Branston, both admitted two charges of fraud and Appleby also admitted interfering with the mail.

She was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 120 hours’ unpaid community work. Her partner got six months’ jail, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours’ unpaid community work.

The couple were also ordered to pay £660 costs each and a total of £400 compensation to Geoffrey Turner, who bought the Celine Dion tickets.

Judge Paul Glenn told the defendants: "This was a gross breach of trust. The public rely on the postal services to perform their duty.

"Having defrauded Mr and Mrs Turner, you led them a merry dance, showing a brazen attitude to their complaints.

"It seems to be accepted Hodgins was the prime mover, but you, Appleby, were the one working for the Post Office and you benefited financially. I am not impressed by the fact that you haven’t had the decency to notify your new employers, you have also chosen not to tell your family. It will be far worse if they find out through the Press.

"Hodgins, at least you had the guts to accept the offences were initiated by you. You are in full-time employment, there is plainly a different side to you."