A devastated groom who missed out on his dream Las Vegas stag do after the best man allegedly stole the £8,000 holiday pot has finally had a blast with his pals – thanks to the Daily Mirror.
Ben Whincup said he was “so happy” after the group enjoyed a day paintballing followed by a night on the tiles.
Ben, 28, had spent a year planning the Sin City jaunt with dad Craig, four friends and his two brothers-in-law.
But, as we reported , they were left drowning their sorrows in a local pub last month after being told nothing was booked, a day before they were set to fly.
After reading our story, travel firm Groupia contacted the Mirror and offered to set up a last-minute UK bash – and Ben chose Cardiff.
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The rugby coach said: “I’m so happy we got to do this because it’s been a terrible few weeks dealing with what happened.
“We were all so disappointed about it and did not know what to do, so we are so grateful we could come over here and have fun together before the big day.
“I like Cardiff, I’ve been there before on a night out and enjoyed it, so it seemed like a good choice.”
Ben, from Swindon, Wilts, said he now cannot wait to tie the knot with fiancee Emma in nearby Royal Wootton Bassett on Wednesday, before enjoying a honeymoon in Greece.
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He said: “I’m just looking forward to the most important thing here, which is my marriage to Emma.
“I can’t wait for the big day and then our honeymoon, and trying to move on from what happened”
Emma’s hen party, a weekend of drinks and games in a Somerset mansion, went off without any hitches.
Wiltshire police confirmed they were investigating the alleged theft of the Las Vegas fund and that a Swindon man had been arrested and bailed on suspicion of fraud by false representation.
