Charles Brohiri, 29, potentially faces jail time after admitting to 76 counts of fare evasion on Govia Thameslink trains, adding to 36 previous convictions, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Thursday. The total unpaid fares and legal costs could exceed £18,000.

District Judge Nina Tempia cautioned Brohiri, of Hatfield in Hertfordshire, that a custodial sentence was possible due to the sheer number of offenses. Brohiri, dressed in black, responded "Guilty" to each of the 76 charges read aloud during the hearing.

The initial 36 convictions occurred during a previous hearing in Brohiri's absence. An attempt by Brohiri's legal team to overturn these convictions was dismissed by Judge Tempia on Thursday. Their argument centered on the claim that the prosecutions were unlawful because they were not brought by a qualified prosecutor, according to PA Media reports.

Fare evasion costs the UK rail industry millions of pounds annually, impacting investment in infrastructure and services. Govia Thameslink Railway, the operator involved in this case, invests in measures to combat fare dodging, including ticket inspections and increased barriers at stations. The prosecution of repeat offenders like Brohiri serves as a deterrent, though the effectiveness of such measures is continually debated.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transport operators in managing fare evasion and the legal processes involved in prosecuting offenders. Brohiri's sentencing will be determined at a later date, and the judge will consider the severity and frequency of the offenses when deciding on the appropriate punishment.