A man from the UK was fined over GBP 3,600 (EUR 4,140) after traveling without a ticket 112 times on the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) network over a period of almost two years.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to 76 counts of traveling without a ticket, and was convicted in absentia in August 2024 for another 36 counts.
The court sentenced him to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to pay GBP 3,629 in unpaid fares.
He must also perform 150 hours of community service and attend a rehabilitation program. Brohiri is banned from traveling on GTR trains for one year.
“He behaved as if he were invincible”
Judge Nina Tempia said the defendant acted as if he were “invincible” and showed a sense of “entitlement,” believing he could avoid the rules without consequences.
The prosecutor pointed out that Brohiri continued to travel without a ticket even after he was banned from Thameslink stations in April last year as part of the conditions of his release on bail. Furthermore, the court took into account 16 additional alleged offences committed after his last court appearance.
The judge emphasized that the “deliberate and repeated” nature of the offenses would normally warrant a custodial sentence, but she considered that probation services could help address the underlying issues.
Complicated social background
The defense lawyer said the defendant had expressed “remorse and regret” and explained that he had become homeless three years ago. The court heard that the man had slept on trains, in hospitals, and in libraries, and that he had tried to get support from charities but had encountered difficulties due to mental health issues and a lack of consistent support.
At the same time, his defense attorney emphasized that he did not exhibit aggressive behavior when confronted and that he had given up alcohol three years ago, which would demonstrate “his ability to change.”
The impact of fare evasion
A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway said that fare evasion increases costs for all passengers and “diverts public funds that could be used to improve services.”
The operator said that increased enforcement measures and improved reporting tools for staff had helped reduce fare evasion on its network to its lowest level since 2022.
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