A PASSENGER who failed to pay a £6.50 train fare has been hit with a £400 court bill.

Thomas Holder, 19, of Oakwood Avenue, Wilmslow, was unable to produce a valid ticket or a promise to pay notice when asked by an inspector on August 20, last year, Manchester Magistrates Court has heard.

The defendant was travelling between Handforth and Manchester Piccadilly, the court was told on January 14.

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Tickets are available for sale at Handforth railway station and the machine was in working order on the day in question.

Holder was issued with a penalty fare notice for either £20 or twice the single fare, whichever is greater.

Payment or an appeal must be made within 20 days and full instructions on where to send a response are clearly printed on the notice.

Two reminder letters were sent when no payment was received after two further requests.

Magistrates found the case proved.

Holder was fined £220 and ordered to pay £150 costs, £34 victim surcharge and £6.50 compensation to meet the cost of the outstanding train fare.

The defendant was given time to pay the £410.50 court bill.