A tram user must pay £370 for dodging a £2.20 fare for a trip from The Forest to Bulwell.

Charlie Pearse, 29, failed to appear before magistrates on a charge of entering a compulsory ticket area on the Nottingham Express Transit on January 12.

Ben Hartley, for the NET, told the city court that the matter had previously been adjourned. Two reminders were sent to Pearse of Cope Street, Radford but he had not responded to them.

"The defendant was sent a letter asking him to provide a valid ticket for the tram. He failed to do so.

"He was given the opportunity to make an appeal against the penalty in 22 days. There has been no response from the defendant," said Mr Hartley.

Pearse was found guilty of breaching byelaws. He was fined £220 and must pay £120 prosecution costs as well as a £30 government surcharge.

He was given a month to pay with magistrates issuing a collection order, which gives the right to bailiffs to seize property if the bill is not paid in time.

The court heard that Pearse had committed similar offences last year and in 2015. Mr Hartley added: "He knows the system."