A PASSENGER who failed to pay a £8.50 train fare has been hit with a £460 court bill.

John Dillon, of The Avenue, High Legh, Knutsford, failed to produce a valid ticket or pay the fare when asked by an inspector on September 22, last year.

The 22-year-old was travelling on Northern Trains between Wigan and Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Magistrates’ Court was told on February 23.

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

Dillon was issued with a penalty fare notice for £100, reduced to £50 plus the single fare, if paid within 21 days.

Payment or 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 as no payment or appeal was received after two further requests.

No response was received and the £8.50 fare remains unpaid.

After listening to the evidence magistrates found the case proved.

Dillon was fined £220 and ordered to pay £150 costs, £88 victim surcharge and £8.50 compensation.

The defendant was given until April 5 to pay the £466.50 court penalty.