Central trains fare cheats ordered to pay £20,000

Sep 11 2007

MORE than 100 West Midlands fare dodgers are named and shamed this month on posters going up at rail stations across the region.

The cheats ended up in court during August and must pay out a total of £20,193 in fines and costs between them.

The 101 names and addresses will appear on Name and Shame posters at many stations this month after their conviction for failing to pay or produce a valid ticket when requested on Central Trains' services across the Midlands.

Fare dodging on Central Trains Services has fallen from five per cent of passengers to two per cent since the name and shame campaign started.

Russell Price, head of revenue protection at Central Trains, said: "These 101 people have found their excuses didn't wash with the magistrates.

"The fine for ticket evasion is up to £1,000, a criminal record and possibly even prison. Fare dodgers should decide whether it is it really worth it."

Those prosecuted for non-payment include Samantha Sicrzypek, 19, of Pershore Road, Birmingham, ordered to pay £211; Dylan Campbell, 21, of Aldbourne Way, Kings Norton, £163; Victor Deng, 23, of Linden Road, Bournville, £236; Michele Dawson, 40, of Beech Road, Bournville, £211; Edwin O'Donnell, 45, of The Roundabout, Northfield, £162; James Graham, 61, of Tinmeadow Crescent, Rednal, £211; Joeseph McCall, 19, of Barnt Green Road, Rednal, £162; Matthew Taylor, 28, of Crychan Close, Rednal, £212; Bradley Bailey, 19, of Braymoor Road, Tile Cross, £212.