Joseph Molloy, 53, used a train fare evasion tactic known as “doughnutting” to reduce ticket prices across at least 740 journeys over 11 months while travelling on Southeastern Railway.

The fraudster [...] would use fake names and email addresses to purchase tickets between stations at the beginning and end of his journey, but not all of those in between.

He also obtained a Jobcentre Plus discount for unemployed people, allowing him to apply a 50 per cent discount to ticket prices.

Molloy pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Inner London Crown Court in January and was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from travelling on Southeastern Railway for a year.

He was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, undertake 10 rehabilitation activity days, and pay costs of £150, a victim surcharge of £187, and compensation of £5,000 to Southeastern.