A PASSENGER who failed to pay a £6.60 train fare has been hit with a £400 court penalty.

Josh Barnes, of Richmond Avenue, Handforth, Wilmslow, was unable to produce a valid ticket or promise to pay notice when asked by an inspector on November 21, last year.

The 21-year-old was travelling between Wilmslow and Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Magistrates Court was told on May 6.

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

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

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

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

No response was received and the £6.60 fare remains unpaid.

After listening to the evidence, magistrates found the case proved.

Barnes was fined £220 and ordered to pay £150 costs, £34 victim surcharge and £6.60 compensation.

The defendant was given until June 3 to pay the £410 court bill.