Thame rail fare-dodger faces jail threat

A Lawyer from Thame is facing a possible jail sentence after fare dodging to the tune of £23,000, between Haddenham and Thame Parkway and Marylebone stations, for two and a half years.

Dr Peter Barnett (Image courtesy of Central)

Australian born Dr Peter Barnett, commuted the 40 miles without buying a valid Chiltern Rail ticket, but simply touched in with an Oyster card at Marylebone. He has now agreed to pay back £23,000, after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, and will be sentenced next month.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

According to Metro, Barnett was stopped at Marylebone last year and said that he had only travelled from Wembley. He then apparently, went to the excess fares window, but ran off when suspicions were roused. The next day he handed himself in and British Transport Police found he had been dodging fares since April 2012.

SOURCE: Metro