Blackburn: Four fined for travelling without train ticket

Peter Willacy, 40, made a journey on the train between Clitheroe and Blackburn on March 17 when he failed to provide a ticket that would have cost him £4.90.

Instead, he has been stuck with owing the courts £408.90 for the journey.

Willacy, of Ivy Street, Blackburn, was issued with a penalty fare notice for £20.00.

No payment or appeal was received, so a reminder letter was sent, as well as a further reminder being sent which was again ignored.

Willacy was proved guilty by Preston Magistrates Court and was fined £220, ordered to pay compensation in the price of the train ticket, as well as £34 to victim services and £150 in costs.

A £5.50 train fare has ended up costing Matthew Pugh, of Queen Victoria Street, Blackburn, £409.50.

Pugh was travelling between Mill Hill and Preston on February 25 when he failed to produce a ticket.

He was issued with a penalty fare notice for £20.00. A payment or appeal was not received, and two separate reminder letters were sent – both of which were ignored.

He was proved guilty by Preston Magistrates Court on July 13, when they issued Pugh a £220 fine, compensation of £5.50 for the ticket, victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £150.

Mill Hill train station

Olivia Kate Harris, 23, was travelling between Mill Hill and Accrington on March 8, when she was caught without a ticket.

She was given a penalty fare notice, which went unpaid, and was sent two further reminders about the fine.

Harris of Manor Road, Blackburn, could have paid £4.80 for a ticket, but ended up landing a £220 fine, victim surcharge payment of £34 and costs of £150 as well as being ordered to pay the original ticket price - a total payment of £408.80.

Harris was found guilty by Preston Magistrates Court on July 13.

Matthew MacFarlane, of Aitken Street, Accrington, was travelling between Accrington and Blackburn on February 10.

Upon arrival at Blackburn station, he was requested to produce a ticket but could not.

When questioned he said he had thrown away his ticket on the train, claiming he had paid £4.20.

His details were taken and he was told the facts would be reported.

MacFarlane was sent a letter requesting either payment of the fare or proof of purchase.

As there was no response a fixed penalty letter was then sent, however, this remains unpaid. He was proved guilty by Preston Magistrates on July 13 and ordered to pay £407.90.

This was made up of a £220 fine, £3.90 for the ticket, £34 in victim service charges, and £150 in court costs.