A MAN who tried to avoid paying a £4.40 rail fare claimed his debit card had not worked on the train.

Christopher Constantine, aged 39, of Third Avenue, Bolton, travelled from Moses Gate to Manchester Victoria on October 11, 2019.

When asked to try and use the card again at the station, it was declined. He had no other means to pay the fare and did not respond to a subsequent letter requesting payment.

The case against him was proved in his absence at Manchester Magistrates' Court and he was fined £220 plus £186.40 in costs and compensation.