A MAN will have to pay more than £400 after he failed to purchase a ticket for a journey that would have cost him a fiver.

Rabie Alhikmiy tried to get away with travelling from Rochdale into the city without a valid ticket – but was stopped when he arrived at Manchester Victoria Station.

When asked if he had a ticket for his trip, Alhikmiy, of Bradshaw Street, Accrington, failed to produce one.

Court documents read: “At Rochdale railway station there are ticket purchasing facilities available, these facilities were fully functioning.

“The defendant had failed to purchase a valid ticket to travel or obtain a promise to pay notice and entered the train and made a journey from Rochdale to Manchester Victoria.

“Upon arrival the defendant was issued with a Penalty Fare Notice for either £20.00 or twice the single fare, whichever is greater. Payment or an appeal must be made within 21 days and full instructions of where to send payment or appeal are clearly printed on the notice.

“As no payment or appeal was received a reminder letter was sent. As no payment was received a further reminder letter was sent. They have failed to communicate or make payment and as a result of which the fare remains unpaid.

“The fare they failed to pay is £5.50 and compensation of this amount is claimed together with the sum of £150.00 towards the prosecution costs.”

The total sum in court costs and fines that the 26-year-old must now pay back is £409.50.

Alhikmiy did not attend the hearing at Greater Manchester Magistrates' Court and was proved guilty.