SWT Prosecutions Dept

[MrBloom]

Hi Guys,

Back in September I was cautioned by SWT trains in south London, and had a statement taken. I was caught without a ticket and was found to have given incorrect details. Before giving incorrect details (regrettable) I offered to pay 50% of the penalty fee, which I had in cash and they would then send me a bill for the remaining balance, this is when the incorrect details were given and the situation spiralled out of control

I received a letter from the prosecutions department in November asking to verify and confirm my name and address, NI number, DOB etc, which I supplied them with. They also asked for any mitigating circumstances. Quite frankly I didn’t have any mitigating circumstances, except that this was the first time this has happened to me and I normally pay my fares.

Essentially my question is this, I have been preparing myself for the worst, essentially a criminal record and some sort of fine. But what I’m not happy about is how long I’ve been left in limbo not knowing. Its coming up to 6 months since the incident, do any of you fair minded people know how slow/fast the wheels of the SWT prosecutions department work??

[JOSH_IOU]

Who gave the incorrect details to who you didn't make that clear?
By prosecutions department do you mean a Debt Collection Agency? Or is this there own internal department It dose make a difference.

Frankly I fail to see why they Need your NI Number Thats issued to you so you can receive benefits and pay taxes etc.

If they want to prove who you say you are then they would ask for Utility bill bank statement or some form of proof that allows you to stay in the UK. (Passport, Visa etc)

Not sure if the Department of transport or any of the operators can ask for your NI Number. I am sure someone will be along to correct me if I am wrong.

[MrBloom]

It was myself who gave false details to the inspector, the letter I received was from SWT internal prosecutions/revenue department, I replied to the request promptly in November and haven't heard anything since. I felt had to give them everything they asked for to expedite the matter.

[JOSH_IOU]

My suggestion would be to pay the remainder of the fine since you have payed 50% of it already.

Write them a letter and ask why they need to see if you have an NI number.

Have they added charges yet?

[MrBloom]

To clear matters up, I offered to pay the 50% on the day, however as the situtation became serious, they decided they would take a statement and caution me instead. There has been no subsequent request from them for fines or monies, the only correspondence from them has been the one to verify my name etc...

The offer to pay the 50% was noted in my statement (not sure if that would ever help my case), my main question relates back to my original post, in that; is there anyone out there who knows the length of time it takes for these matters to reach a conclusion.

[JOSH_IOU]

I assume there taking you to court for the remainder of the fine.

[Pen]

Josh, I think MrBloom is trying to say they are taking him to court for all of it, he hasn't paid anything as they decided to prosecute him instead of excepting half the fine.

However none of this is answering your question on time scales. all I can say is that my son was prosecuted for having his foot on a seat on a train, the transport police took his details and a statement. Gladly my son gave the correct details and his court hearing was in about 3 months from the date of the offence, however because of mitigating circumstances he was able to settle out of court and pay a fee of £30.00. Do a search under transport police, there are plenty of members on that thread who may be able to help you. hope this helps

Pen

[Gary29]

As stated on penalty fares thread.

It is now down to the Britsh court system, it is now out the hands of SWT.

You will probably end up being fined. When you goto court, they could also stop you from travelling on the railways. You will end up with a criminal record.

Why did you give the wrong details???? That will not help you in your case, even tho you offered to pay 50% of ticket, they may well feel that out ways the offer to pay.

They will still see it as trying to evade paying the fare.