A FRAUDSTER promised customers gig tickets to top music events only to take the money and run.

Carli Pegler has been given a suspended prison sentence after she took nearly £21,000 of clients’ money.

The 39-year-old previously set up her own business where she would buy tickets for events such as Wireless Festival, Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé on people’s behalf.

Her business was at first legitimate, however when it became more difficult to get the tickets, she would still take money up front but as the event approached, would fail to return client calls and left them in the dark without their tickets or money.

The offences took place between July 2014 and 2018 when Pegler lived and operated in Southend.

Basildon Crown Court heard yesterday that some victims spent up to £800 at a time for tickets only to receive nothing, and be left scrambling to buy themselves tickets whilst being out of pocket.

Mitigation for Pegler said the offences were the result of “poor problem-solving skills” and has since been forced to leave the Southend area due to her and her children receiving threats.

Sentencing her, Judge Samantha Leigh said: “Some spent £300 to £400, to some that’s a lot of money and they will have saved up for months.

“It would have been a bitter blow because they do not have the money or the tickets.

“This is a lot of offences which affected a lot of people.”

Pegler, now of Buckinghamshire, received a suspended two year prison sentence, 60 hours of rehabilitation and 200 hours of unpaid work.

A Proceeds of Crime Act into her repaying the taken money will be held at a later date.