Overview
- Shelley Simpson, sentenced Wednesday at Portsmouth Crown Court, received 33 months in prison and an eight‑year ban from serving as a company director.
- Prosecutors said she ran Sphere Events from 2019 to 2022, took full upfront payments for supposed discounts, and used new money to plug debts and pay private school fees.
- Investigators reported fake booking confirmations and forged bank statements that made it look like airlines, hotels, and venues had been paid.
- About £300,000 was lost across 47 customers, with some left stranded or paying twice for trips, including a £37,000 family holiday to Barbados that was never booked.
- Portsmouth City Council plans Proceeds of Crime Act action to seek repayments, and consumer chiefs urge card payments, checks of independent reviews, and reports to Citizens Advice.