A FARE dodger owes nearly £700 to the courts after failing to buy a railway ticket. 

Great Western Railway brought a prosecution that led to Andrew Smallen, of Charles Close, Evesham, being fined by magistrates. 

The court heard that the 37-year-old was travelling to Worcestershire Parkway on a Kidderminster to Evesham service, when he was asked for a ticket by an inspecter.

But Smallen could not produce one, magistrates heard.

Evesham Journal: FINED: Andrew Smallen has been fined for not buying a Great Western Railway ticketFINED: Andrew Smallen has been fined for not buying a Great Western Railway ticket

A letter was sent from the rail operator to Smallen but there was no response leading to the case being brought to court. 

Smallen was fined £440, and ordered to pay £14 compensation - the cost of the ticket. 

Smallen was also ordered to pay victim surcharge of £44 and costs of £180 - a total of £678. 

The case was heard at Worcester Magistrates Court on December 16.