Serial Rail Fare Evader Faces Jail Over 112 Unpaid Tickets
Charles Brohiri, 29, stands on the verge of jail time after admitting to a staggering number of fare evasion offenses. The Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that Brohiri, one of the UK’s most notorious rail fare dodgers, traveled without purchasing a ticket on 112 occasions.
Key Details of the Case
– Total Unpaid Tickets: 112
– Potential Financial Penalty: Over £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs.
– Court Warning: District Judge Nina Tempia cautioned Brohiri that he “could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences committed.”
Court Proceedings
– Brohiri appeared in court dressed in black and pleaded guilty to 76 offences.
– Each charge was read aloud, with Brohiri responding with a quiet “Guilty” for about 20 minutes.
– He had previously been convicted in his absence of 36 charges at an earlier hearing.
Legal Arguments and Rulings
In an attempt to reverse the 36 convictions, Brohiri’s legal team argued that the prosecutions were invalid, as they were initiated by a lay prosecutor rather than a qualified legal professional. However, Judge Tempia dismissed this claim, affirming that there was no abuse of this court’s process. She noted that:
– A lay prosecutor is legally allowed to commence proceedings.
– Utilizing non-authorized employees for such processes has been a long-standing industry practice.
Timeline of Offences
Brohiri’s offenses occurred primarily between February 2024 and November 2025, involving journeys between London and Brighton and on Thameslink lines to Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Prosecutor Lyndon Harris also revealed that Brohiri continued to dodge fares late last year, with allegations still arising as recently as January 12.
Future Proceedings
Previously bailed in August, Brohiri was instructed not to board or attempt to access any train operated by Govia Thameslink. He remains on bail under the same conditions and is set to return for sentencing on February 11. Additionally, he faces outstanding fines totaling £48,682 from various other prosecutions dating back to August 2019.
As the case progresses, it serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with habitual fare evasion in the rail industry.