A TEENAGER who tried to get away without paying for his rail fare has been ordered to pay more than £400.

Declan Donnelly, of Moorgate Street, Blackburn, was asked to produce his ticket on October 13 when he arrived Preston Station.

According to court documents, he had boarded the train at Mill Hill station in Blackburn, where there were functioning facilities available to purchase a ticket.

However when the 18-year-old was asked to show proof of his fare, he was unable to and issued with a FPN for £20.

No payment was received within 21 days and so two reminder letters were sent to the defendant.

When Northern Trains still didn’t hear from Donnelly, court proceedings to recover the amount were initiated.

The case took place at the end of April in the teenager’s absence and he was ordered to pay £409.30 comprised of the £5.30 fare he failed to pay, £150 towards prosecution costs, a fine of £220 and a victim surcharge fee of £150.