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Chronicle Live
National
Ian Johnson

Snapchat star Jack Bart in court after dodging paying for the Metro twice in two days

He's the Facebook funnyman who has almost 170,000 followers.

But Gateshead's Jack Bart, has been outed as a serial Metro fare dodger - which bosses on the service say is "no laughing matter".

The 22-year-old was brought to court after being caught three times without a ticket - including twice in two days.

Watch Gateshead comedian Jack Bart who has gone viral with his hilarious impressions

"I totally accept it, but it was just a genuine mistake," said the social media star, who shot to fame with his impressions.

Gateshead comedian Jack Bart (Newcastle Chronicle)

"It happened when I was working in a previous job, at a warehouse, and I just forgot my wallet.

"I'd get a lift to work and would have no way of getting home."

He appeared at Gateshead Magistrates' Court on Tuesday under his real name Jack Barthram and pleaded guilty to three counts of using the service without previous payment of fare.

He was first caught last November 14, before inspectors caught him again a day later.

His third strike occurred on February 7 this year.

Nexus prosecuted Barthram on May 24 after he failed to pay his fines - but he appeared again this week to make a statutory declaration having been unaware of the prosecution.

"I got a letter saying you were blanking us so you have to come to court," said Bart, of Seaton Gardens.

"But they had been sending the fines to the address where I had been living, but I'd since moved.

"They said I had been ignoring them but it was a genuine mistake.

"I said if you give me the fines, I will pay them now."

Gateshead comedian Jack Bart (Newcastle Chronicle)

And magistrates did, fining Barthram  a total of £190.

The social media star's Snapchats and impressions have resulted in his work being profiled on pages such as UniLad and LadBible.

Millions of people have watched his funny videos online.

But addressing his ticket evasion, a Nexus spokesperson said: “Metro fare evasion is certainly no laughing matter.

“Anyone who gets caught without a ticket and fails to pay the £20 penalty fare ends up in court and faces a substantial fine and a criminal record.

“It’s not worth all of that just for the price of a Metro ticket, which are among the lowest rail fares in the country, and it’s unfair on the overwhelming majority of law-abiding customers who pay for their travel.

“We have teams of revenue protection staff on trains and at stations to check tickets, supported by the Metro Police Unit and the British Transport Police. People who does travel without a ticket will end up getting caught.

“Our message to fare dodgers is clear: don’t be a loser, buy a ticket.”

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