An arts student whose knee was fractured by a police officer after she was caught without a train ticket has been awarded more than $243,000 in damages.

Rachel Gardner sued the NSW Police Force, claiming she was kicked, sat on, handcuffed, pushed against a fence, loaded into a paddy wagon and then dumped at a nearby train station without charge after she was caught without a train ticket on March 13, 2011.

Payout: Rachel Gardner was caught without a train ticket. Credit:Nick Moir

In the Sydney District Court on Friday, the force was ordered to pay Ms Gardner $243,591 plus interest.

Judge Sharron Norton awarded $120,000 in damages for assault/trespass to the person, $15,000 in wrongful arrest damages, $10,000 in aggravated damages, $10,000 in exemplary damages. She also ordered the force to pay $3591 for past gratuitous care, $30,000 for future economic loss, $30,000 for future treatment, and $25,000 for future assistance.