Update: I phoned the Merseyrail prosecution department and it turns out I didn't receive a letter from them giving me the option to pay a £50 fine. I was allowed to pay the fine over the phone with my card and the case is now closed. Which is a huge relief! Although a £50 fine is a lot to pay, it is nothing compared to what I was dealing with yesterday. I will now write the whole thing off and put it down to experience. Knowing that someone experienced was helping me deal with this matter made me more calm and less stressed than I inevitably would have been. Thank you for all your help and advice for me with this one, it is very much appreciated.

Thanks Wriggler, I needed to hear thats its not the end of the world, as I have been really worried about it. I am annoyed at myself because its something that I never do. I know its not the most serious of crimes but I would like to do everything I can to keep this out of court and keep a clean record. With the trial date set for next mon (21st) im worried that it might be too late to do anything about it. My decision has to arrive at the court 3 days before. If I send it in pleading guilty can I still settle out of court with the prosecution? Im so confused about the whole thing, nothing like this has happened to me before so I dont know where to start! and im really conscious that time is running out for me

Thanks for both of your replies. After reading the other posts on the forum, it seems like the best action would be to write a letter to the prosecution to avoid it going to court. Am I right in thinking that? If so, it would be great to get advice on what to include in my letter.

On July 31st I was travelling Bournemouth to Liverpool to get back home to the Isle of Man, I stopped off in Chester to see my brother. On the train journey from Chester to Liverpool I sat at the back of the compartment with my back to the door. I was on the phone and had inadvertently rested a foot on the white metal bar between the seats. I heard the door open behind me and as an instant reaction put my foot down onto the floor. Two Mersey rail staff with high visibility jackets came through the door. They said they saw me have me foot on the seat and I agreed. One stayed and cautioned me and the other walked away. I explained that I didn’t know it was against the bylaws (its one of, if not the first time ive used merseyrail) and that I was just leaning back when I was on the phone. On the 26th Jan Mersey Rail posted me a letter saying I “did interfere with the comfort or convenience of any person by putting your feet on the seats while on the train” and “The prosecution asks for £150 as a contribution towards the prosecution costs”. The trial date is set for the 21/2/11 but as it got sent to my permant home address the letter has only just reached me. Would this give me a criminal record, or show up on an enhanced CRB check. I am currently an unemployed sport coach and I feel anything but a clean CRB would make it harder for me to find a job in this area working with children. I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to proceed with this.