A SALISBURY woman has been fined after she was unable to produce her railcard when she travelled by train to Manchester Piccadilly station.

Harriet Thompson, 21, of Guilder Lane, boarded the Northern Trains service at Mauldeth Road in south Manchester for the eight-minute journey on Monday, February 19, 2024.

When she arrived at Manchester Piccadilly, she showed staff her advance single ticket – but she was unable to download the 16-25 railcard she had used to get a discount.

Staff reported the incident, and court documents say she did not respond to a letter or fixed penalty notice before the matter was taken to court.

Manchester Magistrates' Court heard: “When requested, the defendant was unable to produce the accompanying Railcard as she could not download it. Her details were obtained and she was advised the facts would be reported.

“Following the incident a letter was sent to the defendant requesting an explanation. As there was no response, a fixed penalty notice was then sent. However, this remains unpaid.”

Thompson was found guilty in her absence of travelling on the railway without paying fare on Friday, October 4.

She has been fined £220 and told to pay £150 in court costs and an £88 surcharge to fund victim services, plus £3.70 in compensation to Northern Trains – the value of the fare she “avoided”.

Thompson has until November 8 to pay her £461 court bill.