A RAIL fare-dodger has been ordered to pay hundreds by a court after failing to buy a ticket before getting on a train in south Shropshire.

Chris Heydon was proven guilty of one count of boarding a train in a non-compulsory ticket area without a valid ticket by magistrates in Cardiff in July.

The court heard from the prosecutor in the case brought by Transi Transport Investigations that Heydon had entered a train for the purpose of travelling at Craven Arms on February 25.

But, magistrates were told, the 56-year-old did not have a valid ticket entitling him to travel, contrary to railway bye-laws. 

Heydon, of Market Street, Craven Arms, who was not present at the hearing on July 8, was fined £220 for the offence and ordered to pay compensation of £5.20.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £100 and an £88 victim surcharge, which is used to help fund services supporting victims of crime.