Pale Rider
Legendary Member
And they really reamed him on the court costs, browse http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/16064809.SCALES_OF_JUSTICE___latest_round_up_of_court_convictions/
Costs are almost always £85
Eg
SAM MORGAN, 29, of Lime Kiln, Wantage, admitted driving at 101mph on the M4 in Berkshire, a 70mph limit zone, on May 4. Fined £500, victim surcharge £50 and costs £85. Six penalty points.
RUTH ELIZABETH BOWERS, 44, of Mill Lane, Marston, was convicted of speeding at 94mph in a 70mph zone on the A34, Chieveley, on June 14. Fined £440, £44 victim surcharge and £85 court costs. Five penalty points.
The high costs are due to the case being prepared for trial which it had to be because he pleaded not guilty.
In that respect he has been treated no differently to any other defendant who pleads not guilty and is convicted after a trial.
The case was heard in his absence, but the prosecution still has to call its evidence.
There's no challenge to that evidence, so the magistrates are all but obliged to accept it.
Had he pleaded guilty, the costs would have been the standard £85, plus a reduced fine (for pleading guilty) and victim surcharge.