A jury has heard how Ed Sheeran's management tried to combat touts by voiding tickets resold for profit.
Mark Woods, 59, and Lynda Chenery, 51, of Dickleburgh, Norfolk, each deny three counts of fraudulent trading, in relation to the firm TQ Tickets Ltd.
In a statement, Sheeran's manager Stuart Camp detailed how the singer's team tried to limit the resales.
He said the Suffolk-raised star had wanted to keep tickets "accessible for as many people as possible".
The trial at Leeds Crown Court has heard how the defendants are accused of using multiple identities to buy tickets for artists such as Sheeran and Little Mix, before selling them on secondary ticket sites for profit.
Mr Camp explained how tickets for Sheeran's 2018 tour were priced between £50 and £80 for the London dates and £45 and £75 outside the capital.
He said tickets could have been sold for a higher price but this was a "long-term business strategy that we see as ethical".
![Musician Ed Sheeran with a guitar](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/0BE5/production/_132354030_f0c9870f4b4e1b2ce95ae3aec95cafc1bca3ab34.jpg)
REUTERS
Mr Camp outlined the measures he and promoter Stuart Galbraith went to as they tried to prevent tickets for the stadium tour being resold at inflated prices.
Those with resold tickets would not be allowed into a stadium and concert-goers would have to bring ID and proof of purchase to the events.
Only one outlet, Twickets, was contracted to resell tickets, at face value prices.
In his statement, Mr Galbraith said he also wrote to three key figures at the reselling site Viagogo to warn them of the consequences of re-selling tickets.
Fans who tried to enter gigs with tickets bought on the site were given letters to help them get a refund from the firm and offered new tickets at face value.
He said about 6,300 replacement tickets were sold during the tour to those with unauthorised tickets.
![Image showing view from blocks of flats on the Quintain development overlooking Wembley Stadium.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/8237/production/_128653333_de27-1.jpg)
The jury heard National Trading Standards investigators had found workers at TQ Tickets Ltd had bought 70 tickets for the tour at an average price of £74.17.
Danielle Graham, prosecuting, said other evidence suggested 150 tickets had been bought by 23 different card holders and a further 200 tickets had been bought as part of group packages.
Ms Graham said that the firm sold 148 tickets to concerts on the tour at an average price of £165.52.
Prosecutors said that TQ Tickets Ltd made more than £6.5m from secondary ticketing sites in two and a half years.
Maria Chenery-Woods, who prosecutors said was the "driving force" behind the "dishonest enterprise", admitted fraudulent trading along with Paul Douglas.
Their respective spouses, Mr Woods and Ms Chenery, deny the charges and are currently on trial.
Ms Chenery is also Chenery-Woods's sister.
Latest Stories
-
Paris 2024: Opening ceremony showcases grandiose celebration of French culture and diversity
3 hours -
How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths
4 hours -
Paris 2024: Ghana rocks ‘fabulous fugu’ at olympics opening ceremony
4 hours -
Trust Hospital faces financial strain with rising debt levels – Auditor-General’s report
5 hours -
Electrochem lease: Allocate portions of land to Songor people – Resident demand
5 hours -
82 widows receive financial aid from Chayil Foundation
5 hours -
The silent struggles: Female journalists grapple with Ghana’s high cost of living
5 hours -
BoG yet to make any payment to Service Ghana Auto Group
5 hours -
‘Crushed Young’: The Multimedia Group, JL Properties surprise accident victim’s family with fully-furnished apartment
6 hours -
Asante Kotoko needs structure that would outlive any administration – Opoku Nti
6 hours -
JoyNews exposé on Customs officials demanding bribes airs on July 29
7 hours -
JoyNews Impact Maker Awardee ships first consignment of honey from Kwahu Afram Plains
8 hours -
Joint committee under fire over report on salt mining lease granted Electrochem
8 hours -
Life Lounge with Edem Knight-Tay: Don’t be beaten the third time
8 hours -
Pro-NPP group launched to help ‘Break the 8’
8 hours