Hartlepool rail passenger is £775 out of pocket after dodging £9.20p in fares

A rail fare dodger is hundreds of pounds out of pocket after he was caught without a ticket on both legs of a return journey.
By Gavin Ledwith
Published 27th Dec 2023, 15:59 BST
Updated 27th Dec 2023, 15:59 BST
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Jamie Johnson must now pay a court bill of £775.20p after the court cases were proved against him in his absence.

Johnson was caught travelling from Horden to Hartlepool and back again on May 22 by inspectors from rail operator Northern.

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Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told: “He did have an item he said he'd bought for £20 as a gift for his girlfriend.

A rail fare dodger is hundreds of pounds out of pocket for the sake of dodging £9.20p in rail fares.A rail fare dodger is hundreds of pounds out of pocket for the sake of dodging £9.20p in rail fares.
A rail fare dodger is hundreds of pounds out of pocket for the sake of dodging £9.20p in rail fares.

"When quizzed why he didn't buy a ticket with that money he had no response.”

The court also heard that Johnson, 28, of Ash Crescent, Horden, ignored letters asking only for the £9.20p total fare.

When fixed penalty notices were also unanswered, Northern took the cases against him to court.

Johnson must pay £440 in fines, £9.20p in compensation, an £176 victim surcharge and £150 in costs.

Tickets for the return journey begin from £4.30p