A TRAIN operator’s former service quality manager has been charged with fraud after rail tickets were allegedly sold on the black market.

Trevor Watt, who worked for East Coast, faces a charge of fraud by abuse of a position of trust.

The charge comes after British Transport Police last year launched a probe into ticket fraud worth £140,000.

The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to bring charges after months examining the case. Four former East Coast staff have faced investigation by transport police detectives.

A 57-year-old woman from Chester-le- Street, County Durham, will not face charges. Two men, a 44-year-old from Washington, Wearside, and a 54-yearold from Hebburn, South Tyneside, were arrested and bailed and remain under investigation. Mr Watt, 51, of Blaydon, Gateshead, is due to appear in court later this year at a date to be set.

The allegations are thought to surround complementary passes that customer service staff, based at Newcastle’s Baron House, were able to write out. Auditors are said to have found irregularities in accounts.

The passes would compensate individuals who had complained about services which were cancelled or heavily delayed. Complimentary passes can be written out by East Coast staff and used for first class or standard travel.

One pass can be made out to a party of up to ten people and used on journeys on the East Coast Main Line, which connects Scotland and the North-East to London.

The reasons for the four staff members leaving East Coast are unknown and the operator has declined to make any comment on the allegations.