Serial Fare Dodger Charles Brohiri Faces Jail Over 112 Unpaid Train Tickets

Introduction: A Prolific Case of Fare Evasion

The case of Charles Brohiri has captured public attention as one of Britain’s most prolific fare evasion cases in recent memory. The 29-year-old admitted not paying fares valued at more than £3,000 for Govia Thameslink train journeys between February 2024 and November last year. This case highlights ongoing challenges within the railway industry regarding fare evasion and raises important questions about prosecution methods and persistent offending.

The Scale of the Offences

District Judge Nina Tempia said that Brohiri “now could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed”. Brohiri has pleaded guilty to 76 charges of failing to pay for a rail ticket, and was convicted in his absence in August 2024 of a further 36 charges. The charges related to unpaid fares on journeys from London to Brighton and on Thameslink lines into Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

According to court documents, Brohiri could be told to pay back all the unpaid fares, totalling £3,266, as well as the cost of £15,120 of bringing the 112 prosecutions. In addition, Brohiri, from Hatfield in Hertfordshire, is accused of failing to pay fines worth £48,682 from separate prosecutions brought through the courts between August 2019 and April last year.

Persistent Offending Despite Bail Conditions

The court heard evidence of continued fare dodging despite bail restrictions. The court was told Brohiri continued his campaign of fare dodging after being banned last April from entering Thameslink stations as part of his bail conditions. Most remarkably, Brohiri’s offending is said to have continued unabated, with the last allegation of fare dodging recorded three days ago – on Monday (12 January).

Legal Challenge and Court Proceedings

At Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 15 January 2026, Brohiri attempted to challenge some convictions on legal grounds. He argued that the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional. However, Judge Tempia dismissed Brohiri’s application to have those convictions overturned on a legal technicality.

Conclusion: Implications for the Railway Industry

Judge Tempia adjourned sentencing until Wednesday 11 February so that a pre-sentence report could be drawn up on Brohiri. This case underscores the significant financial impact of fare evasion on rail services and the challenges authorities face in deterring persistent offenders. For passengers and taxpayers, the outcome will serve as an important indicator of how seriously the courts treat fare evasion, whilst the railway industry continues to grapple with an issue that costs hundreds of millions annually.