Help, Should I pay this national express rail fine?

[masucha]

I purchased tickets for a return journey from Newcastle to London online and arranged to pick them up at the fast ticket machine, however I got to the station very late and in a rush I picked up 4 out of 5 coupons. The ticket and reservation are printed on separate coupons and I only picked up the reservation coupon for the outward journey.

I was promptly fined £124.50 plus £10 admin fee.

I wrote a letter explaining that it was a genuine mistake and provided evidence i.e the internet booking receipt for the train journey as well as several other receipts for journeys that I had taken and had never been fined showing that I was a good customer and this was clearly just a simple mistake.

They wrote back offering to reduce the fine to £98.30.

I wrote another appeals letter showing that my income is only around £35/week that there was no way I could pay the fine and asked if they would reconsider.

The next letter I received today says that after seeking legal advice I must pay the fine or have to pay the original fine of £134.50 plus another £20 admin plus £250 legal costs and are nice enough to let me pay £5/month.

Do I have a chance if they take me to court, all these details are 100% correct.

[tiglet]

I think you may find they will take you to court - they clearly state you must have a valid ticket for your entire journey.

Check the T&C's on their website.

of course, if you talk to your local paper about their attitude, they may waive it ...