Well got a conditional discharge and was just asked to pay the court fee. Though should not have pleaded guilty. Anyway my employer was most supportive when I told them. They thought TFL is a bit of an ass and that the whole country's gone crazy with court proceedings etc and criminalizing all.

Well I would say if it can be cloned then it'll probably be free travel for all...

They already pretty much made up their mind and tend to side with the prosecution. There were lots of court summons on the prosecutor's desk but only a handful actually turned up. So don't know what would happen to them. Bet its the only law abiding citizens that came and not the persistent offenders. It is the persistent offenders that causes London Underground to lose their revenue but the only way they can recover that is to bully others...Honestly my employers were saying not worth worrying about - TFL is just court mad as no other countries not even New York do this apart from on the spot fine

12 months not to do it again I think. Thought it was a waste of money getting in a lawyer as I could have got that by myself with the doctor's letters.

Well had a talk with the solicitor I was with today and he advised pleading guilty with mitigating circumstances which I did. Not sure now if I should have done that. Anyway they gave me a conditional discharge but had to pay the court fee but not the fine. Told my employers about it and they were very supportive - just said don't worry. They thought the TFl was a bit of an ass; should have been more useful pursuing real criminals. Quite alot didn't bother to turn up. If you are lucky and are not in certain jobs such as accountant, teacher or working with vulnerable people the criminal record will not show up unlike me. Some at work suggested I should not have pleaded guilty...Hope it help

Hi thanks for that. Have spoken to a solicitor who said its better if he comes along on Monday to persuade them again that its not in the best public interest. He is charging £400 for the service. Is it true that someone from the prosecution will be there? I just thought they sent in the evidence before the judge and one just has to plea guilty or not guilty. Anyway I'll be bringing along some of the documentations about the side effects and testimonials from the Internet of people who had experiences of using the drugs. Do you think this will help my case?

Hi Maursh I have read your thread and was wondering whether another date has to be set when I enter a plea of not guilty on Monday. Do I need to have a solicitor present at this stage if they are going to rearrange the date again? When the inspector stopped me I said I didn't know how much I had on my own oyster card, does that amount to "mens rea" even though in my doctor's letter to TFL it said I was suffering from psychosis and confusion and this accounted for my bizarre state of mind and actions? I just said yes to all questions including birthplace even though it was not correct.

Will do

Yep you get a non recordable record which means that it won't be on the National Police data but will be on the local one. This means that it won't show up on the standard one but will on the enhanced which is normally required in teaching and some other profession such as law I think. Not sure about the £1000 fine but as if I'm not pleading guilty then no need for solicitor yet as they will then rearrange it for another date.

Well the court case is this monday. I sent in the plea yesterday but just called them up to say i want to change my plea to not guilty. So just come in on Monday to say it in person. Apparently its not the duty solicitor but the legal adviser that you can get to see. Yes I used a solicitor called Ruth at Edward Hayes in the first instance when they sent letter requesting information about the incident. She has been very helpful but the fees are very expensive tho. They charge like £200 per hour. Just for the letter and the phone calls were £500.

just been advised by another solicitor to plea not guilty as I've nothing to lose. Will be using the duty solicitor first then will use my own one after. Will let u know what happens. In my case I did admit I deliberately used my mother's freedom pass.

Thanks for that. Didn't realise this but went to the doctor this morning and spoke to him the case again. He will call TFL today to see if they can settle out of court but he also suggested I should contact my union. Having spoken to the legal firm linked to the union they will be sending either a solicitor or barrister to represent me in court on Monday. So hopefully they can advise in more details. So I say if you are in a union go to them first to see if they can help. Do you still think I should plea not guilty?

I signed the second box saying that I will attend so did not put any mitigating circumstances on the form. Was wondering whether I can just call up the court today to say I want to change my plea. Have read the threads and some said they didn't even get a duty court solicitor when requested, is that true? Have never been to court so don't know how it works

the court date is next monday and i sent in the form yesterday.

oh right so is it too late for me to plea from guilty to not guilty now?