That's really helpful, thanks for your info and advice.

Oh really that much! Ouch... pretty much straight after xmas too : ( looks like bread and butter for tea for the next month or two

Thanks unclebulgaria67 that's put my mind at rest a bit, i was having visions of having to go to court and being led away in handcuffs No I've not looked around but I will check and yes it's a first offence.

Hello all I replied to the summons with a plea of 'guilty' and asked them to deal with it in my absence, I attached a letter of mitigating circumstances and they also asked about my financial situation which was a form showing my income and expenses that I had to fill out. What happens next? As my plea is guilty and it's a first offence which I have apologised for etc... is it standard for them to accept my plea and impose a fine? or will they continue the prosecution?.... fs it's a fine, any idea on how much the fine could be?

Thanks Andy but I think that's still fare evasion plan and simple, I had to admit I did not have a ticket. I think the law here is quite black and white??

My apologies HB I did not realise. The prosecution is on behalf of Greater Anglia. The court is 8th January. Reading between the lines should I contact the prosecution direct or court clerk to try and settle out of court?

Can anyone recommend a good solicitor?

If you inform the clerk of the court that you wish to plead guilty to the charge(s) of: 1. That you did contravene Byelaw no 18 (1) of the Railway Byelaws made under section 219 and schedule 20 of the Transport Act 2000, in accordance with Railways Act 2005, in that you entered a train in a non-compulsory ticket area for the purpose of traveling on the railway without having with you a valid ticket entitling you to travel.

Okay i think I'm in a bit of trouble!? I wrote a letter back to them explaining I'm really sorry and offered to pay costs etc as recommended... and I did not hear anything for ages (almost 3 months) then yesterday I got home from work and opened a brown envelope to reveal a court summons I'm a little bit upset and unsure how to deal with the whole thing, so I need a bit of advice... From reading through the jargon I have 3 options. 1. Plead 'guilty' by post 2. Plead 'guilty' in court 3. Plead 'not guilty' in court They have applied for £100 in costs to cover admin plus the train fare (then whatever fine I guess they decide to impose) Within the summons they have included a form where i need to state my financial circumstances including salary, outgoings etc The pack also contains the rail officers statement describing me and statement of fact including the conversation we had about the journey, within the whole statement I have admitted I travelled without a ticket and I co-operated through the whole ordeal stating the truth. This court summons does not acknowledge my letter which I wrote back to Greater Anglia admitting my wrong doing and offering to pay costs, so looks like they want to go to town on me..... any help would be really appreciated.

Okay i shall reply then. I basically run for the train as I was late and did not buy my daily ticket for the overground train, I then switch at Stratford to catch the tube... they caught me checking in at Stratford with my Oyster and asked where I had been travelling from etc and asked me to produce a ticket for that part of the journey which I did not have. So in essence it's possible to avoid paying the overground fare at all given an Oyster or travelcard ticket can be used for the second part of the journey.

The letter says: (issued by Greater Anglia, Prosecutions Unit) "On 'day' 'date' 'month' 'year' at 'Station' (London) station a person giving the above name and address was questioned by a member of rail staff about the payment of a rail fare. All the available evidence is being considered as to whether legal proceedings are appropriate. if you consider that there are further mitigating factors that may influence any decision that may be made about this matter you are invited to respond, within 14 days of the date of this letter using the enclosed freepost envelope. if you wish to make any comments about the incident, please do so on the reverse of this letter. please ensure that ALL details are completed and returned to ensure our records are correct." Then boxes for name, address, DOB, occupation, post code etc

I'm having some trouble uploading, I blacked some info out on the letter and saved as a JPEG to 'insert image' but no go. Any ideas?

Hi all, the letter I have been dreading has finally come through… and I'm not entirely sure how to respond? My first thoughts are to admit I was the person questioned and own up that I did not have a valid ticket for my previous journey, I was running late for work, it's my first offence etc and I'm willing to pay the penalty charge fare to prevent the matter from going any further.... is this a good approach? or should I do nothing and not reply? letter attached.

Thanks I hope your right. I'm dreading the letter which I'm going to receive in the post, they will probably be fishing for info trying to catch me out.

Okay thanks, so if they do ask me to provide paper tickets for say the previous two days return journeys.. I can say I don't have the tickets now they were thrown in the bin, and they wont take it further?... What happens if they take it to court? and I have no proof of buying tickets