Manchester Court Spares Father-Son Jail Sentence For Touting ManU Tickets

A father and son who banked more than £600,000 ($940,620) from ticket touting have been spared jail after a court heard they have been "signed up" by ManU, according to Chris Osuh of the MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS. Richard Rowe, 54, and his 30-year-old son, Richard Rowe Jr., "cashed in by selling tickets for Manchester derbies and other big fixtures to customers including wealthy Arab businessmen." The Manchester Crown Court heard that the pair were supplied by ManU season ticket holders "who were unable to attend games and had heard about their 'service.'" Police do not know how much the match tickets went for, but it is understood that "some fans were able to recoup the cost of their season tickets by doing business with the Rowes, who made substantial profits for themselves on top." The court heard that the pair's new venture, Spectate Live Ltd., has been authorized by ManU "to resell tickets for the Manchester Suite at Old Trafford" (MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 8/21).