A shocked judge asked a defendant for travel tips after he revealed he’d got a train ticket from London - for just £21. Martin Sweeney, 30, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday morning.
He is charged with driving a Ford Transit dangerously on Headley Way, Oxford, on October 20, 2021. Sweeney denies the charges and is due to stand trial later this year.
Asked to reimburse Sweeney for his travel fees from London, Judge Recorder John Hardy KC was shocked when he was told the train tickets had cost just £21. Defending barrister Gareth James said his client had made three journeys to attend court in Oxford during proceedings via train at the cost of £63 total.
Told that Sweeney took the train rather than the coach, the judge gulped: “On the train! Perhaps he can leave me details of the route he takes.”
Mr James, who did not share his client's savings secret, agreed. “I know, it seems ridiculously cheap.” The Great Western Railway website suggests that those prepared to put up with a slow train from Marylebone to Oxford and back could do the journey for £28.
But the traveller must buy single fares in advance. A return fare comes in at a more eye-watering £77.30.
