One of the UK’s most prolific fare dodgers has been issued a stark warning: he could face prison if he fails to pay a fine imposed as part of a suspended jail sentence earlier this year.
Charles Brohiri, 29, has accumulated more than 100 convictions for evading train fares.
He owes more £3,000 in unpaid tickets for Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) journeys taken between February 2024 and November 2025.
Brohiri, who is originally from Hatfield in Hertfordshire but has been homeless for several years, received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, in February.
He was also ordered to pay £3,629.60, among other fines.
On Tuesday, he appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court for an assessment of his financial means to settle his outstanding debts.
District Judge Nina Tempia told Brohiri, who was unrepresented in court: “If you haven’t paid anything then you can go to prison as I warned you last time. Do you understand that?”
Brohiri confirmed that he did, and admitted he had not yet paid any of the fines or compensation he owed “as of yet”.
Asked why, Brohiri told the judge his referral from probation to help him receive benefits had been “a bit slow”, but he insisted hthat e would begin paying £5 a week.
Judge Tempia told Brohiri the consolidated amount he owes, in compensation, fines and “maybe victim surcharges”, is £34,486.
She ordered Brohiri to begin paying £5 a week from 31 July, and adjourned his means inquiry until 27 August.
“£20 should have been paid when you come back on August 27,” Judge Tempia said.
