A man described as one of Britain's most persistent fare dodgers has admitted to a staggering 112 offences of travelling on trains without a ticket, with unpaid fares and fines totalling more than £18,000.
A Two-Year Spree of Evasion
Charles Brohiri, 29, systematically avoided paying for journeys on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) services for almost two years, from as far back as February 2024. His free travel spanned networks across the south and east of England, including Thameslink, Great Northern, and Southern services, with trips taking him from London to the south coast and as far north as Peterborough.
At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 15 January 2026, Brohiri spent nearly 20 minutes quietly pleading 'guilty' to 76 charges, having already been convicted in his absence of 36 previous counts last year. Dressed entirely in black, he acknowledged each offence, bringing his total debt to GTR to £18,386.
Legal Battle Over Prosecution Powers
The case took a significant legal turn when Brohiri's barrister, Eleanor Curzon, sought to have the charges dismissed. She argued that GTR's use of a lay prosecutor—a non-qualified lawyer—to bring the case was a breach of the Legal Services Act.
This argument followed a recent High Court ruling, known as the Mazur case, which suggested only qualified solicitors should conduct litigation. However, District Judge Nina Tempia ruled that the train operator had acted within the rules, delivering a crucial victory for railway companies that rely on this cost-effective method to pursue fare evaders.
Bail Breach and Sentencing Ahead
Despite being on bail and banned from GTR trains since December, it was alleged Brohiri attempted to avoid buying a ticket again on 13 January 2026. He did not enter a plea for this most recent allegation, which will be considered when he is sentenced on 11 February 2026.
Judge Tempia granted him bail once more, with the strict condition he does not travel on any Govia Thameslink trains. When asked if he understood, Brohiri replied, 'Yeah, sure.' The court heard he has previously stated he is homeless, lacks a mobile phone, and uses libraries for internet access.
Brohiri, who hails from Croydon and has performed as a rapper under the name Rvre Dean, founded a creative agency and had signed with a modelling agency. His online biography and song lyrics, which reference luxury items, contrast sharply with his circumstances and the scale of his fare evasion.
The judgment solidifies the ability of rail operators to use lay prosecutors, providing clarity after recent legal uncertainty and ensuring a continued key tool in the fight against ticket fraud.
