Portsmouth woman jailed over £300,000 holiday firm fraud
Portsmouth woman jailed over £300,000 holiday firm fraud
The travel industry has been rocked by the sentencing of Shelley Simpson, a 46-year-old former director from Portsmouth who orchestrated a massive Ponzi-style fraud scheme. Operating under the guise of Sphere Events Limited, Simpson deceived dozens of unsuspecting families, promising luxury vacations and exclusive event access that never materialized. This high-profile case highlights the devastating impact of financial exploitation on consumers who save for years to afford dream holidays and honeymoons. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Portsmouth Crown Court delivered a clear message to white-collar criminals, sentencing Simpson to 33 months in prison for her calculated deception that left victims nearly £300,000 out of pocket.
Shelley Simpson was jailed for 33 months at Portsmouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to fraudulent trading. Between 2019 and 2022, she ran Sphere Events Limited, taking nearly £300,000 from over 90 complainants for holidays and events that were often never booked. The court heard she used the stolen funds to pay for personal expenses, including £18,000-a-year private school fees for her children, while providing victims with forged documents and falsified booking confirmations.
The Rise and Fall of Sphere Events Limited
Sphere Events Limited was marketed as a premier travel agency capable of securing deep discounts on luxury accommodations and high-end events. Based in Portsmouth, the company attracted clients through word-of-mouth and personal recommendations, with Shelley Simpson at the helm. Simpson projected an image of a well-connected professional who could navigate the complexities of the travel industry to provide value that others could not match.
However, the investigation revealed that the business model was fundamentally flawed from its inception. Rather than acting as a legitimate intermediary, Simpson operated the company as a Ponzi scheme. Payments from new customers were not used to book their specific travel arrangements but were instead diverted to satisfy the demands of earlier clients or to fund Simpson’s own lifestyle. This "robbing Peter to pay Paul" strategy was sustainable only as long as new money continued to flow into the business, but as the scale of the debt grew, the house of cards inevitably collapsed.
Calculated Deception and Forged Documentation
One of the most distressing aspects of the case was the level of sophistication Simpson employed to maintain her lies. When customers grew concerned about their bookings, she would provide them with elaborate, falsified documents. Electronic devices seized during the investigation by Portsmouth Trading Standards contained numerous examples of forged bank statements, airline tickets, and hotel confirmations. These documents were designed to look authentic, often featuring the logos and branding of major international travel providers.
In one instance, Simpson claimed she could secure discounted rates at the prestigious Ritz Hotel because she personally knew the manager. Such claims were entirely fabricated but served to build a false sense of trust with her victims. The court heard that she was relentless in her lying, continuing to reassure families that their trips were safe even when she knew no money had been paid to the actual service providers. This "dance of deception," as described by the judge, was a central component of her criminal enterprise.
The Financial and Emotional Toll on Victims
The impact of Simpson's fraud extended far beyond the substantial financial losses. Many of the 47 identified victims—representing over 90 individual complaints—were planning major life events. Honeymoons to the Maldives and luxury family reunions in Barbados were among the trips that vanished. One victim, Jodie Stallard, lost over £37,000 for a family holiday that Simpson never booked, despite sending multiple messages of reassurance.
For some, the realization of the fraud came at the worst possible moment: while they were already abroad. Families arrived at airports to find no record of their flights or at hotels to discover their rooms had not been paid for. These individuals were forced to pay thousands of pounds on the spot to avoid being stranded, effectively paying twice for their holidays. The emotional distress, anxiety, and sense of betrayal felt by these families were highlighted throughout the trial as significant aggravating factors.
Diversion of Funds to Personal Expenses
While victims were struggling to recoup their losses or save their holidays, the court heard that Simpson was using their hard-earned money to maintain a standard of living she could not otherwise afford. A significant portion of the nearly £300,000 was funneled into her personal accounts. Specifically, the prosecution pointed out that the funds were used to pay for the private school fees of her children, which amounted to approximately £18,000 per year.
| Key Aspect of Case | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Estimated Loss | Nearly £300,000 |
| Number of Complaints | Over 90 |
| Sentence Imposed | 33 months (2 years and 9 months) |
| Director Disqualification | 8 years |
Additionally, investigators noted that renovation work was being carried out at her home during the period of the fraud. While her defense argued she was not living a "lavish" lifestyle and was merely trapped in a cycle of debt, the judge noted a "callous disregard" for her victims. The fact that she was prioritizing private education for her own family while effectively stealing the "once-in-a-lifetime" experiences of others was a point of heavy criticism during the sentencing hearing.
The Investigation by Portsmouth Trading Standards
The conviction of Shelley Simpson was the result of a "lengthy and complex" investigation led by Portsmouth City Council’s Trading Standards, with support from the National Trading Standards Tri Region Investigations Team and Hampshire Police. The sheer volume of complaints necessitated a thorough forensic examination of financial records and electronic devices. The investigation began in earnest after a surge of reports from concerned holidaymakers who realized their travel plans were in jeopardy.
Investigators discovered that Simpson had searched for "Prison for fraud" on her devices before her eventual arrest in November 2022, suggesting she was well aware of the legal consequences of her actions. The collaborative effort between local and national agencies ensured that the full extent of the fraudulent trading was uncovered, providing the prosecution with the evidence needed to secure a guilty plea.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Shelley Simpson pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent trading at an earlier hearing, admitting her role in the deceptive practices of Sphere Events Limited. At the sentencing hearing on May 6, 2026, Judge William Ashworth presided over the case. He described Simpson’s behavior as "relentless" and "wicked," emphasizing the breach of trust involved in her actions.
In addition to her 33-month prison sentence, Simpson was banned from serving as a company director for a period of eight years. The court also indicated that proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act would follow. These proceedings are intended to identify any remaining assets held by Simpson that can be liquidated to provide compensation to the many victims who were left out of pocket.
A History of Dishonesty
During the trial, it was revealed that this was not Simpson’s first brush with the law regarding financial impropriety. The court heard that she had previously received a caution in 2016 for an incident involving the school where she worked as an office manager. In that case, she had transferred £4,500 from the school’s funds into her personal account. This prior history suggested a pattern of dishonest behavior that culminated in the large-scale fraud at Sphere Events Limited.
Her defense council argued that Simpson suffered from bipolar disorder and that her actions were not driven by greed but by a desperate attempt to fix a failing business. They claimed she gained genuine satisfaction from organizing experiences for others and became overwhelmed by the financial pressure. However, the prosecution and the judge found that the systematic use of forgery and the duration of the fraud outweighed these mitigating factors.
Protecting Consumers from Travel Fraud
The case serves as a stark reminder for consumers to remain vigilant when booking holidays, especially through independent or smaller agencies. Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, urged the public to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. He recommended checking for independent reviews and ensuring that travel companies have appropriate protections in place, such as ATOL or ABTA membership.
Portsmouth City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing those who exploit the trust of the community. The successful prosecution of Shelley Simpson is seen as a victory for consumer protection and a deterrent to others who might consider similar fraudulent schemes. For the victims, while the prison sentence provides a sense of justice, the focus now shifts to the recovery of their lost funds through the ongoing legal processes.
FAQ
Who is Shelley Simpson and what did she do?
Shelley Simpson was the 46-year-old director of Portsmouth-based Sphere Events Limited. She was jailed for orchestrating a Ponzi-style travel fraud that conned victims out of nearly £300,000 by taking money for holidays and events that were never booked.
What was the sentence for the holiday firm fraud?
Simpson was sentenced to 33 months (2 years and 9 months) in prison and was disqualified from acting as a company director for 8 years.
How did the fraud scheme work?
Simpson operated a Ponzi scheme where she used money from new customers to pay off old debts or personal expenses, such as private school fees, while providing victims with forged booking confirmations and bank statements.
Will the victims get their money back?
Portsmouth City Council is pursuing proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize assets from Simpson in an attempt to compensate the victims.
How many people were affected by the Sphere Events fraud?
There were 47 primary victims identified in court, though authorities received over 90 individual complaints related to the business.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Shelley Simpson brings a close to a dark chapter for many families in Portsmouth and beyond. Her 33-month prison term serves as a significant consequence for a multi-year campaign of calculated dishonesty that destroyed dream vacations and caused immense financial strain. As the legal system moves toward asset recovery for the victims, the travel industry must continue to emphasize transparency and consumer protection to prevent such predatory schemes from taking root in the future. The case remains a poignant reminder of the importance of due diligence when entrusting large sums of money to travel providers.
Portsmouth woman jailed over £300,000 holiday firm fraud
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