Cheeky rail fare dodger walloped with ^600 in fines and costs

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Mid Devon Gazette:

Cheeky rail fare dodger walloped with ^600 in fines and costs

An Exeter man who cheekily told ticket inspectors he had better things to do than pay his ^2.10 rail fare has been hit with fines and court costs totalling ^600.

Alfie Stray, 20, of Guinness Lane, Exwick, was caught without a ticket at Polsloe Bridge on June 4. When confronted by an inspector he said he had the means to pay the fare but ^had better things to do with his money^ Exeter Magistrates Court was told.

Stray failed to respond to letters from First Great Western and did not appear in court when summonsed to do so. In his absence Stray was found guilty of fare evasion, fined ^400, ordered to pay prosecution costs of ^160 and a victim surcharge of ^40.

He was one of 11 fare dodgers fined ^400 or more at the court on today.

Among them was Alex Wintle, 21, of Taunton Road, Bridgwater, who was also found guilty of altering a rail pass issued by HMP Exeter so he could use it the day after it was issued and Goncalo Correira, of Byron Way, Northolt, who attempted to avoid a fare of ^118 from Paddington to Exeter then gave a false name and address to inspectors.

[BerkshireBugsy]

Maybe he couldn't afford the train fare to get to court

All joking aside and speaking personally I'm pleased with the result. The main character in the article seems to have blatant disregard for authority and this seems an appropriate punishment. I hope the authorities are successful in collecting the fine

Just my 2c

[SDS]

Hmm ^400 fine does seem slightly higher then normal. He must have previous or really narked off the magistrate that day.


Prosecution costs of ^160 is a tad on the low side when you consider all the court fees and stuff.

[Brucey]

Hmm ^400 fine does seem slightly higher then normal. He must have previous or really narked off the magistrate that day.


Prosecution costs of ^160 is a tad on the low side when you consider all the court fees and stuff.

A typical "first time" fine is a week's wages.  ^400 per week (net) is roughly earning ^26k gross, so not at all unreasonable.

Remember that the prosecution costs will be lower if they are presenting 11 cases in one go (only one lot of travelling etc).