Notorious Fare Dodger Escapes Prison Despite 112 Convictions for Train Ticket Evasion
One of Britain's most prolific fare dodgers has been spared jail, despite being caught more than 100 times for evading train ticket payments. Charles Brohiri, 29, skipped over £3,000 worth of tickets on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) journeys between February 2024 and November 2025.
Extensive Offending and Court Proceedings
Brohiri pleaded guilty to 76 charges of failing to pay for a rail ticket and was convicted in his absence for a further 36 charges. At his sentencing hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, an additional 16 offences were taken into consideration, with three of those committed just 24 hours earlier.
District Judge Nina Tempia told Brohiri it appeared as though 'you feel that you are invincible by committing these offences and that you see it as some sort of self-entitlement that you can get away with it.' Despite describing the offending as 'brazen and persistent,' she suspended a three-month prison sentence for a year, citing a probation report that suggested it could assist him.
Sentencing Conditions and Financial Penalties
Brohiri was ordered to pay back £3,629.60 in unpaid rail fares but was spared prosecution costs amounting to £15,120. He must also complete:
- 150 hours of unpaid work
- A 12-month prohibited activity requirement, banning him from traveling on any GTR trains
- A rehabilitation activity requirement
The court heard that Brohiri continued his fare dodging campaign even after being banned from entering Thameslink stations as part of his bail conditions in April 2025. His offending persisted unabated, with the last allegation recorded on February 10, 2026.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
Prosecutor Lyndon Harris stated, 'With the exception of the period of October, November, and December 2024, there have been offences in every month since February 2024 to the present day.' Defending, Eleanor Curzon told the court that Brohiri expressed remorse and regret, particularly for traveling during court proceedings.
She noted that a pre-sentence report found Brohiri has faced personal troubles but understood the severity of the charges. 'He reiterated to me this morning that if he is given the opportunity to work with probation, they can assist him in securing accommodation and employment,' Ms. Curzon continued. 'It is really these two factors which will put an end to Mr Brohiri's offending.'
The court learned that Brohiri attended university but had to drop out, working as a waiter and in bars. During three years of homelessness in London, he sought support from charities, but it was inconsistent.
Upcoming Financial Inquiry and Industry Response
Brohiri will appear at the same court on March 29 for a means inquiry to assess his ability to pay further costs, as he allegedly owes £31,742 in outstanding financial orders. A GTR spokesperson emphasized the impact of fare evasion, stating it costs the railway an estimated £400 million annually, diverting public funding from service improvements.
'We therefore take our responsibility to protect ticket revenue very seriously,' the spokesperson said. 'Through the careful use of prosecutions, targeted ticket checks, focused action at known hotspots, and better reporting tools for staff, we have cut ticketless travel on our network to its lowest level since 2022.'
