Merton Trading standards have taken a tough stance on ticket touts operating in the area. Six people were summonsed to appear in Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court to answer allegations of unlawful street trading during this years Wimbledon Championships.

The defendants’ court hearings were postponed from June until August due to the Ticket Tout Squad being unable to serve some of the summonses on the defendants personally at the tennis ground

On 1 August two defendants were found guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates Court and received fines of £175 and £60 respectively and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £120 and £60.

On 22 August the remaining four were due to appear. Two cases were proved in the defendants’ absence and they were both fined £175 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £120. Unfortunately the remaining two cases had to be withdrawn as the defendants gave false details and so they could not be traced.

The hearings show Merton Council’s new tough approach on illegal street trading.

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