Hi All, Thanks so much for your help. As I'd mentioned I sent my letter stating everything that resulted in my purchase of the child ticket. Their response was that they didnt see that it necessarily relevant to explain my health and financial situation. it was a very stern letter as expected however they said they saw that I may have learnt my lesson. I had enclosed a letter from my GP explaining how my health had been and the help I was trying to receive to get better. I also enclosed the annual ticket i'd bought after the probation period at work to prove that I didnt plan on doing it ever again. I then had to pay the fine of £300 incl. admin fees etc. A severe relief and thanks again for all your advice

Thanks for the responses. The reason I asked about the effect of the conviction on travelling is because I read on this forum that it would have a detrimental outcome for those who travel abroad often esp to the US? That would be something that would affect me so I was worried. Also would it affect someone who wanted to adopt or work with children? Thanks, HB I agree I don't really need a template as I've just written everything as honestly as I can. Thank you

Really grateful for your responses Old Codja Just to clarify, when you say not truly detrimental do you mean it wont show up on a CRB check? I would be able to travel abroad for work? Also I think I read on this forum that there is a useful template for writing such letters?

Ok thank you. I'll do that. Does this normally end in a criminal record?

Thank you all for your responses, I really appreciate your honest opinions and advice. Although this may not be life threatening I had no idea of how this would impact my future, should I get a criminal record. I will probably have to go abroad for work and I may end up losing my job should I not be able to do this. I also planned to some day work with children. I do understand the severity of the situation I've put myself in and will definitely apologise for my stupid actions I just dont know what I'll do with my life if I lose my job AND cant work with children. In terms of evidence, I do have old tickets and had purchesed an annual ticket which I was able to acquire after my probation period at work through the loan scheme. I can also have my doctor write a letter of evidence to supposrt my medical conditions. Do you think this will suffice, along with your previous suggestions? Thanks again

I was wondering if anyone can help. A few months ago I was approached by authority working on behalf of Southwest Trains. They cautioned me and i had to give a statement. I had a child weeks travelcard which i used at Waterloo, the barrier didnt let me through because it was a child ticket so i used my oyster card to get through - the officer must have been watching) I said that i could not afford the full fair hence the child ticket. He took my statement for each of the 5or 6 days of travel of which it was used and took the tickets in quesiton, i guess for evidence. As he questioned me I was quite upset and wasnt thinking too clearly. Not far a reflection on how I had felt the entire month due to physical illness and bouts of depression. So I cant remember much detail of my statement further than I have just given. I have now recieved a letter from SWT stating that 'the evidence given was being considered as to whether legal proceedings are appropriate If you consider that tehere are further mitigating factors taht may influence any decision that may be made about this matter you are invited to respond, in writing only, within 14days of the letter'. To be honest I wasnt thinking clearly when I bought the ticket, I dont know if retracting the original statement would help avoid prosecution? My depressed state left me not caring much for life itself really, I was in debt and had been at my new job for about 6 months at this point. In fact I was hoping to get a train fare loan from work but i had to pass probation (6months) to get it. Anyway I have some old weekly adult tickets that i used, and I know have an annual train ticket on loan from work. I will also see my doctor if i need the evidence. I am a 29yr old female, I finished uni in 2007, 2 years of which include deferring a year and repeating a year due to depressiona and ill health. This is my second and most promising permanent job, of which i had been unemployed for months so its very important to me and with a criminal record i feel it will ruin it all for me as I may need to travel abroad for work soon too. I'm very worried and would really appreciate any help or advice you can give. I have no idea what to do. I already feel my life slipping out of my hands again, I will definitley see the doctor firstly but I'm very worried as I still live at home with my parents which is also a rocky situation. Many thanks