The management team of English singer-songwriter Edward Christopher Sheeran MBE, also referred to as Ed Sheeran, revealed during a trial at Leeds Crown Court that they were trying to discourage ticket sellers by invalidating tickets that were resold for excessive profit.

Mark Woods and Lynda Chenery of Norfolk face three counts of fraudulent trading related to TQ Tickets Ltd, denying the allegations.

Stuart Camp, Sheeran's manager, highlighted the singer's commitment to maintaining ticket accessibility for a broad audience.

The trial revealed that the defendants are accused of using multiple identities to purchase tickets for artists like Sheeran and Little Mix, subsequently selling them on secondary ticket platforms for financial gain.

During the trial, Camp detailed the pricing of Sheeran's 2018 tour tickets, emphasising a long-term ethical business strategy.

Concertgoers with resold tickets faced entry restrictions, requiring ID and proof of purchase.

Approximately 6,300 replacement tickets were sold during the tour to rectify unauthorised ticket issues.

National Trading Standards investigators discovered that TQ Tickets Ltd workers had bought 70 tickets for the tour at an average price of £74.17.

Prosecutors asserted that the company made over £6.5 million from secondary ticketing sites in two and a half years.

Maria Chenery-Woods, described as the "driving force" behind the alleged "dishonest enterprise," admitted fraudulent trading along with Paul Douglas. In contrast, their spouses, Mark Woods and Lynda Chenery, contest the charges as they face trial.