“Ticket Touting Duo Ordered to Repay £2.9 Million or Face Jail in Landmark POCA Ruling”

A couple from Norfolk who ran a multi-million-pound ticket touting operation have been ordered to pay back nearly £3 million or risk returning to prison.

Maria Chenery-Woods and her husband, Mark Woods, both of Dickleburgh, were convicted in 2024 for reselling tickets to major concerts featuring global stars such as Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Gary Barlow, Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller, and Little Mix.

Last week, Leeds Crown Court ruled under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) that the pair must repay £2.9 million. Failure to comply will result in additional custodial sentences.

Investigators from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) revealed that the couple’s criminal enterprise generated an astonishing £9.8 million in illicit profits.

This case underscores the growing use of POCA powers to strip criminals of their ill-got gains and serves as a stark warning to those engaging in ticket fraud and similar schemes.

This case is a classic example of how the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) works in practice.

Case Summary

• Individuals: Maria Chenery-Woods and Mark Woods (Dickleburgh, Norfolk)
• Offence: Large-scale ticket touting operation reselling tickets for major artists (Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Gary Barlow, Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller, Little Mix).
• Conviction: Sentenced in 2024 for fraud-related offences.

Recent Development

• Court: Leeds Crown Court (POCA hearing)
• Order: Pay £2.9 million or face additional prison sentences.
• Criminal Benefit: Financial investigators (YHROCU) calculated illicit gains of £9,815,351.52.

Implications & Key Points

• Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA):
• Enables confiscation of assets equivalent to criminal benefit.
• Failure to pay results in extended custodial sentences.
• Compliance Risks:
• Ticket touting often involves fraud and potential money laundering.
• Highlights the importance of monitoring high-risk sectors (entertainment, events).
• Enforcement Trend:
• Authorities increasingly use POCA to recover illicit profits post-conviction.
• Strong deterrent against financial crime.

Takeaway for Compliance Teams

• Ensure awareness of POCA powers and implications for financial crime risk assessments.
• Consider exposure to similar schemes in client portfolios or payment processing channels.

Source

https://www.rocu.police.uk/news/2025/ticket-tout-couple-must-pay-back-almost-3-million-or-face-jail/