Magherafelt fake wedding fair planner given suspended jail sentence

A Magherafelt man has been given a four-month suspended jail sentence for duping more than a dozen businesses to hand over money for a fake wedding fair.
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Callum Townsend (24), of Parkmore Road in the town, admitted 15 charges of fraud by false representation.

Ballymena Magistrates Court heard last Thursday that Townsend had set up an events company to run birthdays and bridal fairs and in 2013 he had advertised a bridal fair.

He took money from a number of businesses in the run-up to the event, but it did not take place.

The charges show he dishonestly made a false representation to two women that they would be a unique sponsor of the wedding fair and he provided misleading information to other businesses to secure funds.

Townsend had also asked for £100 for advertisements which were never provided and also said he needed amounts of £100 to secure a place at the bridal fair. He also told one firm he would supply them with work in return for discounted IT services.

The charges related to dates in 2013 ahead of a planned wedding fair.

Defence barrister Michael Forde said Townsend had provided a cheque for £1,380 as part of compensation.

The court heard the exact amount owed is £1,515 and Townsend was ordered to pay it back in full.

The prosecutor said: “This man started up an events planning business in Northern Ireland for birthdays and weddings. There are a large number of victims.”

Mr Forde said his client was previously given a suspended sentence of five months, suspended for three years for similar offences by another judge.

District Judge Desmond Perry said everybody had been paid back what they were owed “bar the disappointment” involved.

Mr Perry told Townsend that it was a dreadful series of events and the chances of him fulfilling the promises was nil.

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