Thousands of Train Fare Evasion Convictions to Be Overturned

A judge has ruled that up to 75,000 fare evasion prosecutions were unlawfully handled under the Single Justice Procedure.

Train companies Northern Rail and Greater Anglia admitted to misusing the procedure for fare evasion cases.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring declared the prosecutions void, stating they should never have been brought through this process.
Efforts are underway to identify all affected individuals, with a bulk hearing scheduled for October.
Refunds for fines and court costs are expected to begin by the end of November.
The ruling raises concerns about the Single Justice Procedure, which has been criticized for its lack of transparency.