Stephen Cavanagh, 39, who swindled victims out of thousands of pounds by selling fake tickets to Oasis and Coldplay concerts, walked free from Liverpool Crown Court after receiving a suspended sentence. His fraudulent scheme, which ran from September 2024 to April 2025, targeted family, friends, and social media contacts, netting £13,755.60 from 34 victims. Cavanagh used the money to fund a £300-a-day cocaine addiction, even scamming his then fiancée's chief bridesmaid.
Victim flew from USA for fake Oasis concert
One victim, Paul Leung, purchased tickets for family members, including his sister, who flew from the USA to attend an Oasis gig only to discover she had been conned. Leung, who knew Cavanagh through a football club, was blocked on social media when he tried to chase the tickets. Another victim, Amy Stevenson, who was to be chief bridesmaid at Cavanagh's wedding, paid £350 for tickets that never materialized. She told the court: "What makes this situation particularly difficult is the defendant wasn't a stranger to us. He was someone who had been welcomed into our lives and our home."
Christmas Day call added to cruelty
Lisa Barker, another victim, purchased six tickets from Cavanagh, whom she considered a friend. She described how Cavanagh called her on Christmas Day to ask about her brother-in-law's reaction to the ticket gift, which she later had to reveal was fake. "I find that deeply disturbing and cruel," she said. "I had to tell my family and friends these tickets were fakes. They trusted me, because I trusted Cavanagh. Having to break that news was humiliating and devastating." Barker broke down in tears in the witness box, adding: "At times, I felt like a criminal because I was the one who had convinced others that the tickets were genuine."
Addiction and self-reporting
Cavanagh, of Croxteth Road in Aigburth, handed himself in at Walton Lane Police Station on April 25 last year, confessing to his crimes and citing his drug addiction. He later contacted police again, stating he was unable to provide details of victims "as there were so many." His defense lawyer, Kyra Badman, said he had made significant progress in recovery, volunteering at the Whitechapel Centre and testing negative for drugs for over 14 months. She argued that an immediate custodial sentence could hinder his recovery.
Suspended sentence and apology
Cavanagh admitted 17 counts of fraud by false representation, involving £6,880. Recorder Eric Lamb sentenced him to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 180 hours of unpaid work. Lamb noted the emotional impact on victims, saying: "It goes way beyond the money involved. You were deliberately raising the hopes of your victims." As Cavanagh left the courtroom, he told Barker, "Lisa, I am sorry," before being told not to speak to her. His mother and partner hugged in the public gallery.
