A PASSENGER who failed to pay a £7.40 train fare has been hit with a £460 court bill.

Colleen Kay, of Irwin Drive, Handforth, Wilmslow, boarded a train without a valid ticket on March 30, this year.

The 33-year-old was travelling on a Northern Train, Warrington Magistrates’ Court heard on August 28.

Kay had boarded a train at Handforth without a valid ticket to travel or a promise to pay notice.

Ticket purchasing facilities are available at Handforth railway station and the machine was in working order on the day in question, the court was told.

Kay travelled to Manchester Piccadilly and said she 'did not have any change' to buy a ticket.

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

This would be reduced to £50 plus the single fare if paid within 21 days.

Payment or an appeal must be made within 21 days and full instructions of where to send payment or lodge an appeal are clearly printed on the notice.

As no payment or appeal was received, two reminder letters were sent. Kay failed to respond and the fare remained unpaid.

Magistrates found the case proved after listening to the evidence.

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

Kay must pay the £465.40 court penalty by September 25.