A NORTHWICH man who dodged paying for a train ticket to Manchester has been hit with a court bill worth 50 times more.
James Foran, of Pleasant Street, failed to purchase a ticket before he boarded a train from Newton Le Willows to Manchester Victoria on Saturday, June 5 this year.
Despite the departing station having fully-functionable ticket purchasing facilities available, Foran chose to make the journey without doing so.
The 33-year-old was issued with a penalty fare notice to pay either £20 or twice the single fare, whichever amount was deemed to be greater.
Despite payment of the penalty fare, or an appeal to it, having to be made within 21 days, nothing was ever received. Several reminder letters were sent out to the defendant, but the fare remained unpaid.
The matter was therefore sent to Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court and although Foran was not present, the offence was proved under single prosecution justice on Friday, November 5.
As well as being fined £220, Foran must pay £8.60 in compensation, costs of £150 and £34 to fund victim services.
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