Tens of thousands of train fare fines to be quashed in England and Wales

Four firms including Northern and Greater Anglia unlawfully prosecuted more than 74,000 alleged fare dodgers

Tens of thousands of prosecutions for alleged fare dodging brought by train companies are to be quashed after a court ruling.

Four companies including Northern Trains and Greater Anglia unlawfully prosecuted more than 74,000 passengers in England and Wales using the single justice procedure (SJP), which allowed fast-track magistrates hearings on fare evasion cases to be held behind closed doors.