Seven train fare dodgers from the North East have appeared in court after failing to pay the fee before their journey or after the fact. 

All seven appeared at Teesside Magistrates on February 16 - where they were fined, and ordered to pay victim surcharges, costs, and the original fee of their fare in court this week.

Andrew Grayson, 39, of Fredreric Street, Hartlepool, has been fined £200 for dodging a £5.60 train fare. 

Grayson was charged with travelling on a railway without previously paying the fare, with intent to avoid payment.

The incident occurred on July 24, 2023, between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool station.

Grayson could not produce a valid ticket when asked by the conductor, nor could he pay for the journey he was making.

Despite being issued an Unpaid Fares Notice with instructions to pay or dispute the fare within 21 days, Grayson failed to comply.

On February 16, 2024, Grayson was found guilty in absentia at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

As well as the £200 fine, Grayson was ordered to pay compensation of £5.60 for the unpaid fare, a £150 contribution towards prosecution costs, and a £88 surcharge to fund victim services.

David Lewis, 42, of Fox Street, Seaham has been hit with a fine for dodging a £4 train fare.

Lewis travelled from Seaham to Horden on July 31, 2023 without a ticket.

Upon request, he could not produce a valid ticket nor did he pay for the journey.

Despite being issued an Unpaid Fares Notice and a subsequent reminder, Lewis failed to pay within the given timeline.

He also ignored a Fixed Penalty Notice, leaving the £4 fare outstanding.

Lewis's case was proven in his absence at Teesside Magistrates' Court on February 16, 2024.

He was ordered to pay a fine of £220, costs of £150, a victim services surcharge of £88 and £4 in compensation to Northern Trains Ltd, making a total of £462.

Rhys Norris, 31, from Allenshead, was fined £220 after he was found guilty in his absence at Teesside Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that on July 30, 2023, Norris travelled on a railway between Carlisle and Carlisle station without paying the £19.70 fare, and with intent to avoid payment.

Upon questioning, the defendant could not produce a valid ticket or pay for the journey.

He was issued an Unpaid Fares Notice by the Conductor on board, but failed to make payment within the prescribed time period.

Despite a reminder letter and a Fixed Penalty Notice, the fare remained unpaid.

As a result the court ordered Norris to also pay a victim surcharge of £88 and prosecution costs of £150.

Mark Robinson, 52, of Laburnum Road, Redcar, was caught travelling between Middlesbrough and Redcar Central without a valid £4.90 ticket on August 3, 2023.

When asked by the conductor to produce a ticket, Robinson failed to do so.

He was issued an Unpaid Fares Notice, allowing him to complete his journey and pay the outstanding fare within 21 days.

However, Robinson failed to pay within the specified time.

On February 16, 2024, at Teesside Magistrates' Court, Robinson was found guilty in his absence.

He was fined £219.99 and ordered to pay a £88 surcharge to fund victim services along with £150 in prosecution costs, a total amount of £457.99.

Kenny Robson, 42, from 4 Prospect Terrace, Prudhoe, travelled on a train from Prudhoe to Newcastle on August 4, 2023, without purchasing a ticket.

He pleaded guilty in his absence to deliberately avoiding paying the £6.50 fare.

Robson was contacted by Northern Trains Ltd and initially requested to reimburse the fare only.

However, after he failed to respond to the request and subsequently to a Fixed Penalty Notice, a prosecution case was built against him.

The verdict was handed down on February 16 in Robson’s absence.

Cleveland Magistrates' Court fined Robson £220, and ordered him to pay an £88 surcharge to fund victim services, as well as £150 in costs.

A Newcastle woman has been ordered to pay £472.10 for dodging a £14.10 train fare.

Kelly Surtees, 37, of Relton Avenue, stood accused of travelling on a railway from Newcastle to Middlesbrough without paying the fare on July 14, 2023.

She was advised that the facts would be reported, but she failed to respond to a letter requesting the fare and an unpaid Fixed Penalty Notice was issued.

Surtees was fined £220, ordered to pay the fare of £14.10, and charged an extra £238 for costs and victim services.

Zhouyang Wang, 21, of Sorbonne Close, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees, failed to pay his train fare from Thornaby to Manchester Piccadilly on August 9, 2023.

Despite producing an Advance single ticket with a 16-25 Railcard discount upon arrival, Wang could not provide the corresponding Railcard when asked.

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Following the incident, Northern Trains Ltd issued him with a Fixed Penalty Notice for the unpaid fare of £65.40, which remained unpaid.

The company then sought compensation for the unpaid fare and contributions towards the prosecution costs, equalling a sum of £215. 

In his absence, Wang was found guilty at Cleveland Magistrates' Court on February 16.

The court imposed a fine of £220, compensation of £65.40 to Northern Trains, and costs of £150.