- Former Premier League footballer Sebastien Bassong has been convicted of fare evasion after using a TfL staff nominee pass to avoid paying a £7 Tube fare.
- The 40-year-old former Tottenham, Newcastle, and Norwich defender was caught at St Paul's Station on 2 May after tailgating a friend through the ticket barriers.
- Court documents revealed that Bassong was using a pass belonging to his friend's former girlfriend, a DLR driver, because he was experiencing financial and personal hardship following a divorce and unemployment.
- He was convicted in his absence during a Single Justice Procedure hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 30 October after failing to respond to a prosecution notice.
- Bassong, who now runs a motivational coaching business, was ordered to pay a total court bill of £565 within 28 days, comprising a £220 fine, £250 in costs, an £88 victim surcharge, and £7 in fare repayment.
IN FULL
