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

Jake Wain, 34, of Oak Lane, Wilmslow, travelled on a train from Wilmslow to Manchester Piccadilly on April 11, this year, without a valid ticket.

The case was heard at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on August 14.

The defendant boarded a Northern train without a valid ticket or promise to pay notice, the court heard.

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

Wain 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 remained unpaid.

Magistrates found the case proved after listening to the evidence.

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

The defendant was given until October 9 to pay the £465.30 court penalty.