Charles Brohiri, a 29-year-old man living in London, engaged in a remarkable and relentless pattern of fare evasion on Govia Thameslink Railway trains. Over nearly two years, he amassed 112 convictions for traveling without a valid ticket, racking up over £3,000 in unpaid fares.
The scale of Brohiri’s actions was described as “brazen and persistent” in court, yet he avoided immediate imprisonment. Despite the extensive history of offenses, a judge suspended his three-month sentence for a year, placing faith in the potential for rehabilitation.
Prosecutors detailed how Brohiri continued to evade fares even after being banned from Thameslink stations as a condition of his bail last April. Remarkably, the most recent allegation of fare dodging occurred just one day before his latest court appearance, on February 10th.
The court heard that Brohiri’s offending was nearly constant, with only a few months – October, November, and December of 2024 – seeing no recorded incidents. This consistent pattern painted a picture of a deliberate and ongoing attempt to avoid paying for train travel.
Defense counsel Eleanor Curzon argued that Brohiri’s actions stemmed from personal difficulties and a lack of stable support. She emphasized his remorse and his belief that working with probation services could provide the necessary assistance to secure accommodation and employment.
Brohiri’s background revealed a period of instability. He had begun university but was forced to withdraw, and his work history consisted of temporary positions as a waiter and in bars. For the past three years, he has experienced homelessness in London, seeking support from charities with limited success.
The judge ordered Brohiri to repay the £3,629.60 in unpaid fares, complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and adhere to a 12-month prohibited activity requirement, forbidding him from traveling on any GTR trains. He was also mandated to participate in rehabilitation activities.
While the court spared him prosecution costs, which totaled a substantial £15,120, a further inquiry is scheduled to assess his ability to pay an outstanding debt of £31,742 in previous financial orders. This upcoming hearing will determine his financial obligations.
Railway officials highlighted the significant financial impact of fare evasion, estimating it costs the industry £400 million annually. This loss of revenue diverts funds away from essential service improvements and places an unfair burden on taxpayers and paying passengers.
Govia Thameslink Railway has been actively working to combat ticketless travel through increased prosecutions, targeted ticket inspections, and improved reporting tools for staff. These efforts have reportedly led to a reduction in fare evasion to its lowest level since 2022.
