Hartlepool man's £800 court bill after dodging four train fares in just a week

By Gavin Ledwith
Published 7th Aug 2023, 14:57 BST
Updated 7th Aug 2023, 16:40 BST
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A passenger who dodged four rail fares in a week has been ordered to pay a near £800 court bill.

Lee West was caught travelling without a valid £4.30p ticket between Seaton Carew and Stockton railway stations on November 21, November 22, November 25 and November 28 of last year.

On two occasions he told inspectors that his bank card was not working and that he did not have any money with him.

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Rail operator Northern took the cases to Teesside Magistrates’ Court after West ignored written requests for the outstanding £17.20p as well as subsequent fixed penalty notices.

Seaton Carew Train Station.Seaton Carew Train Station.
Seaton Carew Train Station.

The Middlesbrough court has now ordered him to pay a £440 fine, £176 victim surcharge, £150 prosecution costs and £17.20p in compensation after convicting him of four offences of fare dodging.

West, 42, of Kendal Road, Hartlepool, who was not present at the hearing, must pay the £783.20p total by August 18.