A 30-YEAR-old man has been fined by Worcester magistrates after not buying a £9.60 rail ticket. 

Mike Higgins, of Hornsby Avenue, Worcester, was not present for the hearing of his case at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, (September 29). 

Higgins was found guilty of the charge of fail/refuse to hand over valid ticket.

Martin Calvert, prosecuting, said Higgins was on a Great Western Railway from Worcester Shrub Hill to Pershore on May 5 this year. 

The court heard Higgins was challenged by an inspector and the defendant replied he might have bought one, before saying he didn't have the means to buy a ticket. 

Mr Calvert said, suspecting an offence, the inspector took his details but Higgins had not responded to a letter sent out and there had been no payment. 

Chris Mitchell, chairman of the magistrates bench, announced Higgins would be fined £220, and would pay £9.60 compensation, victim surcharge of £88 and costs of £220. 

The £497.60 Higgins owes the court will need to be paid within 28 days.