A TEENAGER has been charged in connection with selling tickets which never materialised for a festival last summer.

Benjamin Hyland-Ward, 18, of Westfield Avenue South, Saltdean, has been charged with nine counts of fraud by false representation in connection with selling tickets for Bestival.

These charges incorporate all of the reports of money being paid for but no tickets being given.

Hyland-Ward will appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on March 24.

A Facebook group called “Stresstival” was set up for those who claimed to have handed over money for tickets. It had a membership of more than 740 people.

Hyland-Ward, who attended Varndean School in Brighton, contacted the police when he became concerned about people gathering outside his house.