A RACEGOER'S £3.50 taxi fare will cost him £150 after a dispute over fish-and-chips, a court decided.

Steven Ovenden, prosecuting, told York magistrates that Mark Stephen Harris, 32, hired the taxi to take him home to Hull Road, York, after he spent last Friday watching the races on Knavesmire.

But when he asked for the taxi to break its journey near Walmgate Bar so he could buy some fish-and-chips, the driver refused.

Annoyed, Harris got out at the junction of Walmgate and Lawrence Street and walked off without paying. By that time, the meter had clocked up £3.50 for the distance from the St Saviourgate rank.

Harris, a 32-year-old builder, later told police he had had ten pints to drink that day.

Harris, of Hull Road, York, pleaded guilty to making off without paying.

Magistrates ordered him to pay a £75 fine, court costs of £55 and compensation of £20 for the taxi driver. The compensation included the driver's loss of earnings during the time he was giving details to the police.

Harris, who was not represented, told the magistrates he had to get another taxi to get home.

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, July 17, 2003