A GROUP of fare dodgers have racked up fines and costs of more than £3,000 after being caught without valid tickets by train staff.
Prosecutions were brought against 11 train travellers who had each failed to pay individual fares of less than £10 - a combined total of £106 - after they were caught by train staff.
None of the defendants were at Swansea Magistrates' Court for the hearings where their total costs, fine and surcharges totalled £3,490.
Jenna Murphy, 26, of Cove Road, Port Talbot, Reuben Nicolas, 18, of Owls Lodge Lane, Mayals and Joseph Denyer, 25, of Effingham Road, Bristol, will each have to pay £565 - the highest fines and costs. handed out by magistrates.
Murphy had bought a child's ticket, the court heard and Nicholas admitted to staff not using any of the available outlets at the station to buy a ticket.
Denyer travelled between Port Talbot and Cardiff without buying the £9.30 ticket. He admitted he planned to avoid paying the fare. All three were convicted in absence.
Also prosecuted was Joshua Ashford, 20, of Water Street, in Port Talbot who admitted travelling from Port Talbot to Cardiff without paying the £9.50 fare.
He was ordered to pay £180.
Jodie Elliot, 19, of Fernlea Park, Neath, pleaded guilty after admitting she didn't buy a £9.70 ticket at Neath station before boarding the train because she didn't have time.
She was told to pay a total of £180.
Sophie Ward Griffiths, 19, of Gate Road, Penygroes, admitting travelling between Swansea and Cardiff without paying a fare of £9.90.
She was told to pay £220.
Martin Kurina, 18, of Heol Cadifor, Penlan, also admitted the same charge and was told to pay £220.
Kathryn Locke, 20, of New Road, Neath Abbey, admitted boarding a train without a ticket after travelling between Neath and Cardiff.
She was travelling with her sister-in-law Kirsty Locke, 22, of the same address.
Kathryn Locke was told to pay £210 and Kirsty Locke £180.
Gareth Mainwairing, 27, of Geraint Jeremiah Close, Neath, was convicted of boarding a train without a ticket. He will have to pay £345.
Benjamin Thomas, 21, of Gwaun Afan, Cwmavon, admitted travelling between Port Talbot and Cardiff without a ticket and was told to pay £260.
