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I made a mistake in using my mums freedom pass on the london underground a couple of months ago. An inspector caught me using it and took down my details - they also confiscated my mums freedom pass. I thought they might have forgotten about it but yesterday I received a letter from the Prosecutions Manager at London Underground. It says:
".... The facts of the incidents are now being considered and I must advise you that legal proceedings may be initiated against you regarding this matter in accordance with the London Underground prosecutions policy.
If you have any comments to make regarding this incident please write them on the reverse side of this letter and complete the information panel below, returning the whole letter in the freepost envelope provided which does not require a stam, within 10 days.
You do not have to reply but it may harm your defence if you do not mention something which you later reply on in court. Anything that you do provide in writing may be used in evidence...."
I understand that I made a terrible mistake in using my mums freedom pass. Can anyone give me some advice as I have never even attempted to evade a fare before? Has anyone been in a similar situation that can give me good practical advice about what I should do?
I don't have any previous convictions and have never been stopped for fare evasion before. The cost of the journey was only £2.00 [2 stops on the tube].
I am in the exact same position as you (getting done for using a freedom pass that didnt belong to me) on the underground. Like you an initial letter has come throught (just a few days ago) saying exactly what you have written. I have 10 days to reply to them.
Is there anyone out there that has been in this position before and can offer any help. I have no previous convictions or anything in my name.
Mike, will keep you posted on anything I find that may help us. Hope you can do the same.
Good luck
Baz
Have you been to see the CAB yet? I've been thinking about going - may ring up or go in person next week. By the way, is the 10 days:
1. 10 working days from when you receive the letter
2. 10 working days from the date on the actual letter
3. 10 days from when you receive the letter
4. 10 days from the date on the actual letter
There doesn't appear to clear from the letter. Any thoughts?
a sort of fire-fighting role here. Hate HFC & their past compulsory PPI ethos
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Re: london underground question
there are certainly other threds to read that will help.
my advice would be to be honest, say yep man you got me bang to rights.
poss point to financial problems or WHY.
if the use of the pass was a 'one-off' then you should be ok
but if they have done their homework & seen you have persistantly defrauded the system over a period of time, it might not be so clear cut .
What's the likelihood that i'll get a criminal record given this is a first offence?
Also, I do have a season ticket for overground trains. Is it worth mentioning in my response that I do contribute significantly to the London transport system?
Thank you for your reply. Going to see the CAB is a good idea. Will see if I can get time off work myself to go see them.
With regards to the 10 day response, i assume its 10 calendar days since the date on the letter. To be on the safe side, i'm gonna try returning it after 1 week. But you are right, it is not clear.
Also i will giving a solicitor a call for a free initial consultation (Railway Fare Evasion Solicitors - Fare Evasion Solicitors) on monday, will let you know the outcome. Like you, it was also my first offence and also had a valid overground term pass at the time, and I will be writing this on my return letter.
Looks like we are in the same boat, so think it would be a good idea to tackle this together?
If true, the 10 calendar days from date on the letter seems a bit harsh given that the letter took 2 days to reach me. But, better to be safe than sorry as they say - and I will post it before this date.
The solicitor website looks tempting, although i'm not sure whether to use the free consultation now or wait for the response from LU to my letter.
Given that we'll most likely get the same reponse from LU. It might be worth having a plan. i.e. one of us uses it now and the other waits for a response. I don't mind going first or second? What do you think?
sounds like a good idea. i dont mind giving them a call first before the letter is sent. will prob try to get my letter sent back 1st class on thurs so they receive it fri...although they will probably have a backlog or something and only really open it like a few weeks down the line.
are there any qu's u think i should ask?
hi mikes1000 - i just read your posting. i have found myself in exactly the same situation. can i ask what you ended up doing and what the outcome has been
london underground question
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