A MAN from Burnham-on-Sea has been handed a court bill of over £400 after failing to pay a £7.80 train fare. 

The court heard that Paul Aldridge, of Ashley Avenue, travelled on a Great Western Railway service at Bristol Temple Meads on September 11 "without having previously paid" his fare of £7.80 "with intent to avoid payment thereof". 

Aldridge, 30, was proved guilty in his absence at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Monday, January 7.

He was fined £220 and ordered to pay £7.80 in compensation to Great Western Railway.

He must also pay a £34 surcharge to fund victim services and court costs of £180, giving him a total bill of £441.80 to be paid by March 7.