Thanks for the feedback. I think it's best to wait for the letter (if it ever comes) and take it from there. It's now a case of hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. I'll keep you all posted! Thanks

It was an HMRC officer who stopped and questioned me.

Many thanks Mr. CodJA I think I read the finger printing thing on one of the threads but thanks for clarifying. Thank you very much for all your advice and the valuable service. You are honest and unsensational which is exactly the kind of approach that such matters require. I'm glad to have found this thread. I'll let you know how the story unfolds. best regards

Thank you very much Old-CodJA Just a few follow up questions if I may: 1. If I wait for "the Letter" am I running the risk of receiving a Summons without having the opportunity of putting my case forward, or does "the letter" ALWAYS come before a Summons 2. Will TFL be legally obliged to move towards a conviction because I confessed to premeditation and intent, or do they have the discretion to choose not to prosecute based on the merits of my honesty and mitigating financial circumstances? Please note that one of the inspector's questions was "did you intend to use this card for the rest of your onward journey?" to which I answered yes. 3. What is your view on the following points? a. I explained to the inspector that I had been unemployed for over a year and that I had used the card to see a an ex colleague about a job. He noted down on his pad that I was smartly dressed and my physical description, after my signature. b. The HMRC inspector asked me how I would proceed with my onward journey after he confiscated the freedom pass. I showed him my valid Oyster card, which I also had with me and which I had used for my morning journey. He took a print-off from the oyster card before returning it to me to complete the rest of my trip (I was so confused by that point that I actually got on the wrong train at Waterloo ending up in Woking instead of my South London destination! Naturally I thought I was going to get caught without a valid ticket again and end up in prison by the end of the day, but managed to get back to London un-incarcerated!!!). c. Interestingly also, I was not given any information at the time in writing of the details of the event, so have not written record of the incident. Is this common? 5. If the prosecution manager decides not to accept my offer then is it best to: a. Go to court, plead guilty, and point out the offer that I had made to the prosecuting manager OR b. Write a letter of confession, apology and a guilty plea to the court, pointing out my previous offer, to avoid having to actually appear in court. You mentioned that if it goes to court, I will likely get a conviction. If I do receive a summons then which of option 4a or 4b is preferable. I've heard that if I appear in court then I will be finger printed, and processed in detail, and therefore increase the chances of clearly appearing on criminal records. Do you agree with this view? As always, thank you very much for your wisdom and time Best regards IRWT

Old-CodJA - I would be grateful for some of your excellent advice on the following: I was caught today using my mother's freedom pass by an HMRC inspector. I decided not to deny my guilt, confessed upfront today and didn't cause any fuss. I answered all questions very truthfully as I felt that honesty was better than making up a transparent excuse. After reading this thread I realise, frustratingly, that had I lied, and actually used a feeble excuse I would now be better off, as intent would be placed under question. Instead, it seems in this case that honesty is not the best policy. I'm very concerned about the criminal record and had no idea it was a possible penalty, in fact, strangely, I was told by the HMRC inspector today that the offence would be treated as a civil case. After he questioned me, and I confessed to premeditation and intent his colleague revealed that a criminal record would be a probable outcome. I have spent the last five years of my career in the financial services before losing my job 13 months ago. A Criminal record could mean that I am unable to work in the financial sector in future. Questions: 1. Do you think that my honesty and cooperation will work for or against me? 2. Do you think a criminal record is a likely outcome? Advice on next steps 1. Contact the prosecution manager responsible for the station in question to negotiate an out of court settlement. 2. If this fails, wait for "the letter" from TFL and reply with: - a reiteration of my confession, - a sincere apology - details of my financial situation and unemployment - the implications of a criminal record for my career Maestro CodJA, please help me out!! (ps, I also posted this on the 2009 Rosa thread. Sorry if there is any confusion!)

Old-CodJA - I would be grateful for some of your excellent advice on the following: I was caught today using my mother's freedom pass by an HMRC inspector. I decided not to deny my guilt, confessed upfront today and didn't cause any fuss. I answered all questions very truthfully as I felt that honesty was better than making up a transparent excuse. After reading this thread I realise, frustratingly, that had I lied, and actually used a feeble excuse I would now be better off, as intent would be placed under question. Instead, it seems in this case that honesty is not the best policy. I'm very concerned about the criminal record and had no idea it was a possible penalty, in fact, strangely, I was told by the HMRC inspector today that the offence would be treated as a civil case. After he questioned me, and I confessed to premeditation and intent his colleague revealed that a criminal record would be a probable outcome. I have spent the last five years of my career in the financial services before losing my job 13 months ago. A Criminal record could mean that I am unable to work in the financial sector in future. Questions: 1. Do you think that my honesty and cooperation will work for or against me? 2. Do you think a criminal record is a likely outcome? Advice on next steps 1. To contact the prosecution manager for the station in question to negotiate an out of court settlement. 2. If this fails, wait for "the letter" from TFL and reply with: - a reiteration of my confession, - a sincere apology - details of my financial situation and unemployment - the implications of a criminal record for my career