A man who ran up fines totalling more than £30,000 by dodging train fares has been given a “clean slate” by Exeter Magistrates’ Court. Nicholas Tooley, 54, of Alphington Road, Exeter, had not paid for trips between Exeter and Teignmouth over a seven-year period from April 2017.

District Judge Stuart Smith described the situation as “crazy,” noting that Tooley owed £30,012.90 in unpaid fares, court fines, and costs. During the hearing, the judge cut the sum owed down to £1,154.30, covering only the period of July and August this year.

“This is a clean slate – pay for each one. If you cannot afford it, don’t get on the train,” Judge Smith warned Tooley, emphasising the importance of paying for travel. The court heard that had Tooley paid the current single fare of £6.60, he would have spent less than £5,000 over the same period.

The hearing also noted that the fare in 2017 was £1.80 per journey, and Tooley had already paid £2,100 of the fines, which had previously been reduced to £14,517.30.

Judge Smith concluded: “This obviously cannot continue – if you want to get a train, you pay for tickets. How crazy that situation is, you owe a staggering amount of money well outside your capacity.”

Image: BBC