A TAUNTON man who hopped on a train at Bridgwater Station without a ticket has been hit with a £496 court bill.

Declan Chaudron, 29, of Cheddon Road, Taunton, was found guilty of committing the offence on February 21 at a hearing at North Somerset Magistrates' Court.

The case, brought by First Great Western, was proved against Chaudron in his absence.

He was fined £220 and ordered to pay FGW compensation of £8, which would have covered his fare.

Chaudron was also ordered to pat a victim surcharge of £88 and a £180 contribution towards prosecution costs.

The court ruled that he must pay the total court bill of £496 by July 14.