From the Fringe | 25.03.2008
Jail Time for Persistent Fare Dodger
A man who just couldn't stop himself from riding trains without buying a ticket will see the wrong side of a jail cell after fines and suspended sentences failed to put him on the straight and narrow.
The 24-year-old will be celebrating his next birthday in the big house because of his predilection for hopping on German trains without paying his fare.
His habit seemed to have gotten out of control. From October 2006 to February 2007, he was caught riding the train without a ticket102 times, often several times on the same day. The court, fed up with imposing fines and suspended sentences, finally decided to get tough and gave him a 22-month holiday behind bars.
Throwing himself upon the mercy of the court was likely not an option this time. It is not as if the man was riding ticketless due to a lack of financial means. According to his own statement, he repeatedly dodged fares "pretty much out of boredom."
It's likely he'll learn the meaning of true boredom while doing time, when the highlight of his day will likely be marking another of his 669 days behind bars off his calendar.
