NINETEEN rail passengers in south Devon have been fined more than £11,000 for not buying tickets.

Most were taking local First Great Western trains on journeys around south Devon when they were caught.

None of them went to court and the cases against them were proved in their absence at Torbay Magistrates’ Court where the fines and costs were imposed.

Coner Stuart, 19, from Chudleigh, and Richard Steel, 41, from Newton Abbot, did not buy their £3.60p tickets – and ended up being fined £647.60p.

Luke Friar, 30, from Dartmouth, did not pay for his £235.95p fare and ended up with a bill for £879.95p.

Sarah Williams, 38, from Torquay, didn’t pay £11.60p for her ticket and was landed with a bill for £655.60p.

A GWR spokesman said: ”Fare evasion costs the rail industry about £240 million a year.

”While it would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases suffice it to say that we have to follow due process and always attempt to deal with matters without court action.

“However, should individuals not respond to us the matter is referred to the criminal court process.

“Where a penalty fare is issued the passenger is written to and offered the opportunity to pay or to appeal the fine; a subsequent reminder is sent, and then it is largely taken out of our hands and into the court process.

“To be consistent for all those travelling the rules are the same regardless of the fare amount and are determined by national conditions of carriage.

“It is the court’s decision and we would respect that decision. I think it is also worth pointing out that the "fine" in these instances is determined by the court, not by any train operator.

’Fare evasion costs the rail industry about £240 million a year. To make sure that customers who pay for rail travel are not unfairly subsidising those who choose to avoid paying passengers are required to purchase a ticket prior to boarding a service from station ticket offices or from the available ticket vending machines.’