TWO people from Somerset have been fined by magistrates after travelling on the railway without paying their fares.
They were both caught travelling at Bristol Temple Meads station and were prosecuted by Great Western Railway.
Both were sentenced in their absence by magistrates in Bristol on Monday, July 25.
Benjamin John Ashley
A man from Bridgwater has been handed a £456.30 court bill after he travelled on a Great Western Railway service without having paid his £42.30 fare and “with intent to avoid payment thereof”.
Benjamin John Ashley, of Dukes Mead, committed the offence on February 28, 2020.
Ashley, 33, was proved guilty in his absence at Bristol Magistrates' Court.
He was fined £220.
He was also ordered to pay £42.30 in compensation to Great Western Railway, a £34 surcharge to fund victim services, and £160 in court costs.
Ashley has until August 22 to pay his balance.
Jessica Rowland
A Taunton woman has been fined £220 after travelling on a Great Western Railway service without paying her £14.50 fare.
Jessica Rowland, of Outer Circle, travelled without having paid her fare on January 30, 2022.
The 42 year old was proved guilty in her absence on Monday.
Alongside her fine, she must pay £14.50 in compensation to the railway company, a £34 victim surcharge, and £180 in costs.
She has until August 22 to pay her £448 court bill.
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