Passenger travelling 760 times without a ticket is acquitted at court in Hungary

A man travelled at least 760 times without a ticket in Hungary between September 2011 and August 2016 on the railway line of Nagykáta-Budapest. He caused an 11,000,000 HUF (37,081 USD) financial loss to MÁV (Hungarian State Railways). 

According to szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, he was acquitted at court because the jury believes that this cannot be considered a crime. Based on the announcement of the court of justice on 24 October, this particular man was known among ticket inspectors – in most cases, they knew that he did not have a ticket.

Every single time he was caught, he cooperated – gave his ID, filled in and signed the documents, promising that he would pay the fines later. He never did, though… 

Ticket inspectors could not get him off the train because, according to the law, in the cases when passengers provide their personal details and cooperate, their journey is considered to be lawful – they gain the right to reach their intended destination because of their behaviour.

At the first stage of his trial, the passenger admitted his crime and gave up his right to a full legal trial. He has already been convicted before for causing financial damage by fraud and adulteration of public documents – the execution of the penalty was suspended then. The passenger repeatedly committed this crime under the effect of the suspended penalty.