I appreciate all the advice given thus far and would like to give my thanks. My arm is pretty knackered today from where I was grabbed, and I've got a beautiful bruise developing on my upper back from where I was put against the wall. That said, I won't think of taking the matter further as I put myself into the situation in the first place. My only concern is avoiding a conviction - not that I have a lot of money, but a fine would be infinitely preferable. All I can now do is wait for an envelope to drop through my door, and deal with it then as suggested. Don't doubt that I've been kicking myself all day. This is a good community. Thanks again for your help.

I'm fully aware that I was wrong in the first place. The fact that I was apparently free to leave at any time makes me furious, as this is what I was arguing with them but kept getting put back against the wall, or having the threat of the police being called - an empty threat? FFS, if so. Where do I go from here then?

At no time I was informed that I was under arrest. Interestingly, I did state that I wanted to leave and asked them what authority they were holding me under - I didn't get a solid response to the question. I realise again, that the above makes me seem arrogant, but I'm trying to be as honest as possible here! thanks again.

I appreciate your comments Stigy, and it is not my intention to appear arrogant at all. Hence the title of this thread i) I don't know why I didn't simply take the penalty fare - it was panic, crossed with a sense of "right" I think. Not "right" as in arrogance, mind. More just a sense of being p*ssed off that I'd done the right thing by offering to pay, and the RPI went into a "computer says no" type. ii) "surely it would be in your best interest to tell the truth?" Sadly I'm far too cynical these days, and don't believe that telling the truth makes a damned bit of difference most of the time. Please bear in mind that I walked off the train and directly up to the first RPI I saw. iii) The RPIs might be reluctant to seize CCTV evidence, as their company might frown upon their staff "apprehending" members of public, also there are certain legalities surrounding this which could well work in your favour. Are there any particular points you're thinking of here please? It would be appreciated. iv) "The notes made should have been read back to you, but unfortunately if he/she puts in their statement that this occured but you refused to sign them as true and accurate, it's your word against theirs I'm afraid, and from the outset, you look like a fare evader ." There is a signature at the bottom of the caution. There was a conscious decision made by myself that this shouldn't be a true representation of my signature as I didn't agree with what I said but felt that I had no option but to sign something - the options were that or the police get called (this had been a constant threat throughout). Any CCTV should show if the notes were read back to me - what if I can prove that they weren't? (I was asked to read them through) v) "Wait for Southern's letter to arrive, and reply to it accordingly. If you dont want this affecting your future plans, I suggest that you appologise profusely, and offer to pay any reasonable admin costs in order to remain out of court." Can do. What would entail reasonable costs?

Will do - cheers again.

that would be problem indeed - it was the mountain being made out of the molehill playing itself out in real time - due to my actions mostly.

They asked my DOB, I gave them my DOB, they wrote it down wrong. I didn't correct them.

Thanks again. Am I best to do nothing at this point, or wait for an envelope to drop through the door? Or get in touch with Southern and try and reach an out of court solution? The ridiculous thing is that, regardless of the tone of desperation in my posts, is that I don't feel I did an awful lot wrong; in that I had full intention to pay the fare, and I panicked. I didn't assault any of the RC's, and didn't swear at them once. I am certainly regretful of my actions though, and am aware that with the right evidence this will look awful in court. I realise that I've done a silly thing, and would be happy to take some of the consequences of my actions. But don't feel that it's right for this minor infraction to destroy any future plans. Come what may though I guess.

Though I did "bolt", without a doubt, I only made it a yard or two. I have no idea how my actions would be seen through CCTV, as I had no chance to build up a head of steam. This may work in my favour? Sorry for posting immediately after - the section where the Edit post option should be seems to blurred over with another and won't let me do so.

Potential career, with a lot of hurdles to jump through irrespective of this. I've worked hard over the last few years, both physically and mentally to put myself into a position where I gained a place on a law degree at a decent university. The intention is to complete the BVC at the end of this, and I'm guessing you know the rest. After the initial post I made, I did notice that someone had said in another thread that a conviction such as this would be unlikely to make it onto a PNC check. I also read another post saying that it would be 50/50 whether it would be relevant or not, so I've calmed down a little. I hear what you're saying about the mens reah argument, and it's what I feared. You're right in suggesting that there is a sense of desperation to my posts. The thought of having finally getting my sh*t together (though as said, I have no official previous, and am not a habitual fare dodger), only to blow it at the first hurdle due to a dumb mistake leaves me a little sick. Thanks.

whether it's relevant or not, I should also add that I have no previous convictions or cautions which I'm hoping may be taken into account.

Though i have been lurking on this site for a couple of years, this is the first time that I have felt compelled to post. Long post - a thousand thankyou's if you can make it to the end without falling asleep. I boarded a train this morning without a ticket as I was running late. First mistake. I fully expected to be able to buy a ticket on the train. Second mistake it seems. In the ten years that I have lived in this city, the train operator (Southern) has always had guards on duty on the train, and you have been able to purchase a ticket with no questions asked. This morning, they were using "old style trains", with no guard to be seen (my guess is that they were in the drivers carriage?) Upon arriving at the station I walked directly to a revenue collector, pulling my wallet out, and tried to buy a ticket. He directed me to a colleague who wouldn't listen to reason (as per the rules - I can't argue with that), and started talking about penalty fares. AT THIS POINT I DID ONE OF THE MOST RETARDED THINGS OF MY LIFE SO FAR. I bolted. I can't excuse what I did - a rush of blood to the head (and that's all I can explain it as) - and was apprehended by three rather large Revenue Collectors as expected. Bang goes the option of a £20 fine. I was cautioned - fortunately 50% common sense had returned at this point and I gave a correct name and address. Fourth mistake. I was asked if I was refusing to pay a penalty fare. Still a bit full of adrenaline, all I could keep on responding was that I was happy to pay the fare for my journey. There were a couple of things on the statement that I wasn't prepared to incriminate myself over there and then. One was the "making off" issue. I requested that the RC amend this, and he refused to do so. The second time this issue came up I responded "no comment" on the statement. The statement was also not read back to me, which I thought was a requirement? I did not sign the statement with my usual signature, as I did not believe it to be a true version of events, or rather I wasn't prepared to admit to it being a true version of events there and then. The details that they hold for me include an incorrect DOB. Not only the day is wrong, but the year too! Thinking on my feet (probably incorrectly judging by the way today has gone so far) I decided not to correct him on this thinking that this may possibly make a court summons inadmissable, or at least allow me to paint him as an unreliable witness. Thoughts on this? Following the taking of the statement I was allowed on my way. I again offered to pay the relevant journey fare, but this was refused. It is highly likely that I am looking at prosecution. A criminal conviction is likely to blow my career plans out the water. I have never been one who has been afraid of holding up my hands and admitting to a mistake. But when this mistake is likely to affect my future career, and consequently my life, I find myself in a position where I'm forced to look for "outs." The last couple of hours have been spent looking for these. The biggest lifeline that I can see thus far, is "mens rea" - guilty mind. I honestly had no intention of not paying the fare. I'm thirty years old FFS, and if I take a journey on a train I'll pay for it. Would it be of any relevance in mitigation, that I purchased a ticket for the journey as soon as I got back to my local station earlier this afternoon? (by bus - I had a ticket for that too ) This is of course a ticket that I won't use, but at least shows willing - I've paid for my journey in a back to front way. This of course could/would be destroyed by the prosecution upon review of the CCTV if they have it. My argument here would be that I was trying to get to the ticket machine to purchase the ticket. It's a stupid argument, but the best one that I can think of currently. CCTV could work in my favour - showing me walking up to the RC with no hesitation and trying to pay. There will be an incorrect DOB on any paperwork that comes through, and I am not yet on the electoral role at this address. The statement I made under caution was not read back to me. In conclusion; I am an idiot. I take full responsibility for my actions, but the thought of this potentially ruining my life leaves me a little sick, consequently I will do everything I can to avoid this happening whether this means relying on sly loopholes or otherwise. I am honestly not a habitual fare evader, and had every intention to pay. Is there a way of heading this off at the pass? Any ideas? I have full access to LexisNexis, and Westlaw. Though I intend to spend the next few hours (and the rest) ploughing through these resources, can anyone point me in the direction of relevant case law? It would be much appreciated. As would any advice at all. Thanks.