A magician who disappeared after charging a community center £400 for a show he never performed has issued an apology.
Dean Spruce, the owner of Divine Magic, approached Crossens Community Centre in Southport in April, offering a show for their Summer Fair in June. He assured the center, managed by Crossens Community Association, of providing “wonderful entertainment,” including a magic show, bubble show, workshops, and family amazement for £400. The package also included walkaround magic and balloons.
Fiona Townsend, 54, the vice-chair of the community association, expressed their excitement over the deal and decided to book Spruce.
She informed the Liverpool Echo: “We confirmed the booking and provided him with an email address for the agreement and invoice. We paid the £400 and assumed everything was set.”
On the day of the fair, Fiona received a message from Spruce claiming his brother had passed away, necessitating his return to Scotland, where he is believed to be from. Five months later, the association is still awaiting a full refund from the magician, who has been promising repayment since then.
Reports indicate that Spruce has taken payments for shows from other venues nationwide. The Press and Journal highlighted that Spruce had committed to refunding event organizers in Scotland.
He allegedly made various excuses such as car accidents, having COVID, or being hospitalized with broken ribs to avoid commitments, according to The Press and Journal. Later, it was revealed that he had double-booked events, with incidents dating back around three years.
Dean has apologized to Crossens Community Centre, stating that he is diligently working to reimburse all affected parties. He acknowledges his struggles and admits he could have handled the situation better. He encourages those impacted to contact him via email.
Fiona, a volunteer at the Crossens Community Association for 15 years, expressed frustration: “After we requested a refund, he returned £100, but we are still owed £300. He keeps promising to pay but never does.
“It feels like he leads you on. We’ve seen online that he selectively attends events, sometimes double-booking, affecting people across the country.”
In his statement, Dean Spruce mentioned: “I regret what occurred, and Crossens will have received a £200 refund by now. I am committed to refunding everyone.
“I have been in touch with affected groups, and I apologize for the inconvenience, especially given the challenges this year and similar issues three years ago. I could have managed it better, and I apologize. Any concerns should be directed to me via email.” The matter has not been reported to the police.
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