A PASSENGER who failed to pay a £7 train fare has been hit with a £465 court bill.

Roger Browne, of Benson Avenue, Wilmslow, travelled on a train from Holmes Chapel to Wilmslow on March 2, this year, without a valid ticket.

The case was heard at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on July 31.

The 34-year-old boarded a Northern train without a valid ticket or promise to pay notice, the court heard.

Ticket purchasing facilities are available at Holmes Chapel station and the machine was in working order on the day in question.

Browne was issued with a penalty fare notice for £100 plus the single fare.

This would have been reduced to £50 if the single fare had been paid within 21 days.

Full instructions of where to send payment or appeal are clearly printed on the notice.

As no payment or appeal was received, two reminder letters were sent.

The defendant failed to respond or make a payment and, as a result, the fare remains unpaid.

Magistrates found the case proved after listening to the evidence.

Browne was fined £220 and ordered to pay £150 costs, £7.40 compensation and £88 victim surcharge.

The defendant was given until September 25 to pay the £465 court penalty.