DOZENS of train ticket cheats have been caught riding the railway without paying.

Govia Thameslink and Southern Rail prosecuted 60 illicit passengers on one day in court - ordering fare cheats to pay more than £28,000 in fines and court costs.

They included nine people from Brighton and Hove who were fined a total of more than £4,600 and seven from Worthing were fined more than £3,700.

Among the worst offenders were Paul Oluwatobiloba, 21, of Totland Road, Brighton, who had only bought a ticket for part of his journey when he was caught at Haywards Heath on August 27. He was caught without a ticket again on September 2. He was ordered to pay £1,097.60 in fines and court costs.

Bobby Challis, 20, of Mendip Road, Worthing, was caught twice in April at Lancing and Shoreham stations and ordered to pay a total of £990.90 by Brighton Magistrates.

James Carey, 19, of The Spinney, Burgess Hill, was caught at Brighton station on September 22 and 27 without a ticket. He was prosecuted and ordered to pay £1,187.60.

A spokesman for Southern said: "We take fare evasion very seriously and will prosecute anyone caught deliberately travelling on our services with no intention to pay for a ticket.

"The railway industry loses about £200m in revenue each year through fare evasion. This is money that could have been re-invested in the railway to provide a better service for all."

All faced a charge of failing to have a valid ticket and their guilt was proved in their absence.

Jane Vine-Thorpe, 37, of Selsfield Drive, Brighton, was caught at London Road station without a ticket and fined 611.60

Rhys Mendelson, 21, of Vale Road, Portslade, was ordered to pay £369.60

Marvin Manu, 23, of the Highway, Brighton, was caught at Balcombe and ordered to pay £626.

Elliot Anthony Cahill, 25, of Clarendon Villas, Hove, was caught on the Isle of Wight and fined £395.

Carlos Cesteros-Escalona, 21, of Clarence Square, Brighton, was fined £377 after being caught at Gatwick in March.

Lee Kendall, 38, of Fernhurst Crescent, Brighton, had to pay £377 for having no ticket at Aldrington.

Jaryd Kotze, 32, of Flint Close, Portslade, was caught at Lancing and fined £199.

Luke Overton,19, of Applesham Way, Portslade, was caught at Fishersgate and fined £613.

Georgia Lavergne, 19, of Broadwater Road, Worthing, was fined £377 after being caught at Lancing

Aaron Rich, 28, of Cross Street, Worthing, was caught at Lancing and fined £369.

Andrew Steveson, 28, of Victoria Road, Worthing, was ordered to pay £611 after being caught at Lancing.

Bradley Thorpe, 25, of Clifton Road, Worthing, did not have a ticket at Haywards Heath on May 30 and was fined £378.

Jonathan Mateer, 44, of Rowlands Road, Worthing, was fined 611.60

James May, 26 of Vancouver Road, Worthing, was caught at Shoreham and fined £379.

Richard Kinyua, 25 of The Avenue, Goring, was caught at Portslade and fined £370.