Hi there, about 2 months ago I got on a bus using my wallet to tap, I assumed my contactless took the payment, I had my oyster but wasn't sure it had money, got on the bus no issue I didn't really take notice it beeping or anything like that. I was approached by a conductor during the journey but I couldn't find my contactless, I didn't show my oyster because I didn't think it took the payment. The conductor took my detail and said I'd get a letter and I could respond with my bank statement recording my journey. Checked my statement and nothing had been recorded, checked my oyster balance and it had sufficient funds. I responded to the letter with this info and told them I assumed my Oyster card must have had sufficient funds to pay for the journey. They responded that it hadn't and nor did it have sufficient funds to cover me and that they will notify me of their decision. Last week I received a court summons! I am a uni student about to graduate, I've got no evidence to prove I paid and don't know what to do?! I accept that no payment has been recorded and so I would be due to pay the fare and possibly a fine but I really can't afford a criminal conviction. I didn't intend not to pay, if I hadn't it was pure accident, and this would be the first time I've been so careless in not assuring my payment was acknowledged. know I could possible settle out of court by emailing the prosecution team at tfl but I don't know what to include in my letter? lease could someone assist me, my hearing is in 3 weeks and my career is about to go down the loo if I plead guilty, even if I plead not guilty I have no standing and they'll probably find me guilty anyway. All help will be much appreciated thank you!!

My son got on a train to Euston failed to tap in his Oyster card as he was late for work whilst on the train realised he had left his wallet at home . He got off at Euston and tried to explain the situation to one of the ticket officers who immediately sent him over to the ticket police . He was interviewed for an hour during the interview admitted to not tapping in his Oyster card at bushey station for 2 weeks therefore saving him £4 per journey . The officer interviewing him remarked that he had been very helpful with his information said he would be passing his information on and he would get a fine but not a criminal conviction . A few weeks later he received a letter asking him to verify that he was the person in question . He signed the letter and sent it back . Today he has been sent a court summons . He would like to avoid a criminal conviction but knows that a hefty fine will be payable .. . Any advice .?.

Please I need help! I have just received a court summon for fare evasion, on violation of the railway Act. Basically, I borrowed a friend's annual season ticket and was caught. I was on a night shift coming back for night and she was on a long day. I was very honest that I did it to save money. I only borrowed once or twice because our shifts were not always the same plus I have my own oyster card as well as I have a 6 yr old I drop and pick up from school using the bus if I'm not working. I don't want to have a criminal record and I want to do out of court settlement before the court deadline. How will I do that? Who will I contact to? It is my first offence as well. Help will be greatly appreciated

Hi everyone, I was really stupid and bought short tickets on South West trains. I bought a return from a station with barriers to the next stop along the line, but got off a few stops later where there were no barriers. I have done this once or twice and was caught today and given a caution. I am really worried about being prosecuted as a criminal record would ruin me! I'm only a student and I have no previous convictions or cautions. I'm really worried about this - could anyone help? I know I have been really stupid to do this! Thanks.

Dear all, In mid-May I was stopped by an inspector after touching into a station and was caught using my friend’s 18+ oyster which has a monthly travel card on, I initially remained quiet because I thought I was under arrest. The inspector then threatened me if I kept quiet she will call the police and the police will ask me the questions, I did not know if she has the right to do so but I flustered upon hearing possible police intervention and obeyed. She then took her notebook out and asked me a series of questions, while another guy went to get the oyster history printout of both oyster cards she found in my holder (I was carrying my friend’s oyster and my old photocard which I kept as souvenir after its expiry). She also got another lady to take my address and call someone else up to check the validity of my address. I cooperated and answered all her questions honestly, however I received rather racist comments during the interview which obviously was not recorded in her notes. At the end of interview she pulled out a small rectangular yellow card and read the words out to me, it was along the line of “you are not under arrest and you do not have to stay with me”. I am certain about the “you do not have to stay with me” part because I clearly remember feeling very confused. She then added a question to her notebook and asked me “I read these words out to you [motion towards yellow card], yes or no?”, to which I said “yes” because, well, she did. She read her notes out and asked me to sign at the bottom, in her notes she said I deliberately tried to hide my friend’s oyster by giving her my old oyster first, which does not match the facts because she opened my oyster holder herself (without my permission!) and found my friend’s oyster before I took my old oyster out. By no means was I trying to hide anything so I immediately disagreed with her, and she changed her notes into a neutral statement of me presenting her with two oysters. However when I got the prosecution letter earlier this week, the statement of facts clearly says I initially showed my old oyster and before presenting my friend’s oyster when being asked. The typed version of notes from her notebook, which does not have my signature, also incorrectly says she cautioned me before asking me any questions. Apart from this she also changed my answer to one of her questions, from “my friend bought it (the pass)” to “I asked my friend to buy it (the monthly travelcard) for me”. I am very very worried now, what could/should I do? If I write to them to ask for settlement out of court, would this indirectly means I agree with the evidences? If I do so and they do not accept my offer of settling out of court, would I still be able to choose to plead not guilty and would the letter I wrote make any difference to the trial? Would the omission of caution make any difference to the validity to the statement? If I knew I did not have to stay with the inspector before answering any questions at the very least I would have kept my mouth shut! I have read through a lot of threads on this forum but don’t seem to find a similar case, thank you very much for everyone’s patience and time to read my entire post up to here. Any help would be gratefully appreciated, thank you very much in advance!

Hi, Despite being a customer of three for more than 3 years, since 2011 I've had some financial problems but always managed to pay my bill (but a little late). Because of thise, since the beginning of 2011, I've added up all of the dates and over the 7 occasions I've been no more than 10 days late (but still within the month I was billed for),I've totalled up: 2011: Total of 11 days barred (bills never overlapped) 2012: Total of 25 days barred (bills overlapped once, but no more than by a few days) 2013: Total of 3 days so far and next bill is due on 8Th... Despite always staying in good comms with them, they don't care, and still are happy to charge for something I've never received. Luckily I've kept all the dates and times... Neatly diarised too. Is there anything I can do about this? My bill has always been pretty much up to date, and at the most 3 weeks late, but still within the period I was billed for. Regards, Adridude

Hello there, New round here. I hope this is in the right place and thank you in advance for your advice/feedback. A summary of the predicament I am in. Last October I travelled from Leicester to Manchester with an advanced ticket I had purchased with a young persons railcard. I was stopped by the conductor on the train and on showing my rail card I realised I only had the one half of the two bits that I needed for it to be valid. (For those that aren't familiar with railcards, in previous years all the information was on one card, much like a membership card or a driving license. Now they give it to you in two parts, one with the photo ID and the other with the expiry date) I had used my bit part railcard for many weeks previously and was never pulled up on it by ticket conductors on many of the journeys I had undertaken. in fact I was rarely asked to produce it at all, but I suppose that isn't the point. I was issued with an on the spot fine which I was unable to pay for not producing the relevant ID opted for the fine in which I was given 28 days to pay. I also voluntarily asked for one on the journey back as I still was in a position where I couldn't afford to pay for a full ticket and had no way of getting back. The conductor was very accomodating and informed me that if I found the missing part of my railcard, it might be worth sending it in and the fines would be cancelled. Unfortunately I never found it. At this point, and I know this is probably the part where I'm guilty judge, jury and executioner, I gave my old address as my correspondence. Now this wasn't a complete deliberate attempt to evade the fare as I was currently only living in Leicester part time and the only options I had available were to give my home address (which is some 80 miles away, and in all likeliness I wouldn't have travelled home within that 28 days) or my girlfriends parents which was where I was residing when I was in Leicester. The address I'd given was my previous term address which I had moved out of in the summer. I was still in contact with the landlord and had expected that I would be notified if any post came for me so I could pick it up. I heard nothing between October 30th (the original date of the fine) until the day before I went on holiday couple of weeks ago - June 25th - when a letter arrived at my mothers residence in Shrewsbury. In which time I'd missed a court case in Stockport, which was dated for May 7th and a judgement was passed in my absence. I have now been given a fine of £1200 and will have a criminal conviction. When I rang up Manchester and Stockport court in total dismay as to what I was being summoned for, they suggested I make a statutory declaration. I was given no more information, no dates or any specifics as to what I was being charged for. I was not told to seek any legal representation and when I attended the statutory declaration, which I assumed to be a mere formality of signing forms or something similar (my ignorance perhaps) I was asked to swear under oath and give a fairly accurate account of what happened. After a very awkward and intense 15 mins or so the judging panel decided not to proceed with the declaration and that the fine/conviction stood. Is this normal procedure in this circumstances? I'm still shocked as to how little information was made available to me. Of course I certainly didn't go out of my way to receive the fine and any subsequent letters but neither did I specifically go out of my way to avoid them. After all eight months had passed and I had assumed (hoped) that the matter had gone away. Again, my ignorance perhaps. Where do I stand with regards to appealing this decision? I am a student having only very recently finished my studies and with aspirations to work abroad or within a government office, something that would be destroyed if this conviction stands. I have never (knowingly) committed a crime of my life and after my mother was recently diagnosed with a third recurrence of lung cancer I am now the sole provider in my house and simply could not afford to pay a fine. (Not particularly wanting to go down the road of X-Factor style sob-stories but this perhaps couldn't have landed at my feet at a worse time). I've also not told a single person about this, mainly not to worry my mother, and following from today's experience in court am pretty shaken and worried at what might happen. Any information would be a godsend. I'm not looking for lectures, I know I've not covered myself in glory here but a £1200 fine and a criminal record for what was more than likely a total of £40 difference in ticket prices is grossly unfair in my opinion. I have written a grovelling letter to the chief exec of the rail company but I'm not holding my breath!

Hi Everyone, I'm in a bit if a sticky situation. I was on my way to work from a fairly busy railway station to a central London train station. The station I was traveling from has Oyster Card barriers, however, on that day they happened to be open. I have a pay as you go Oyster Card and tapped on the barrier. Now, as far as I'm aware the barrier didn't give the usual message of "Seek Assistance" - in fact I don't remember it giving a message at all. If it had done, i would have turned back around and topped up my card. Thinking everything was ok I traveled to the central london station where i was caught by the ticket inspectors. I was adamant that i wouldn't pay the fine and long story short - i have now received a summons. This is a the tricky part and incredibly stupid part and i don't know what to do. The address details i provided to the ticket inspector were details of my parent's house where i was living a couple of years ago. The inspector wanted a verifiable address and I haven't updated my driving licence yet so i showed him the driving licence and he spoke to someone on the phone and it all checked out ok. Just to clarify, i honestly wasn't trying to deceive them, it just that i get some of my mail at my parent's house anyway and every time i've tried to update my driving licence address details on the DVLA site there always seems to be a problem...not sure why, but needless to say, I am very disorganised and haven't got around to updating my details yet. Now the summons only refers Bye-Law 18(1) of the Transport Act 2005. No mention of false address charges. Do I need to tell them? Should i just plead guilty and get it over with? If they find out that i gave an address isn't my current address can they prosecute me for that also? I would like to settle out of court, but that would mean having to write a letter with my address. Will they able to charge me with giving false details now? Obviously i don't want a criminal record. Wish i'd just paid the penalty fare now!! Please advise

Hi, I'm looking for some advice on a problem that has affected me. I'll begin from the start. I ordered a Stagecoach Smartcard (part of EMT so i gather) so i could commute to school (I'm 16) by Train. I went to use it as i went to my volunteer position on a Heritage Railway, I thought it worked like a trentbarton MANGO card, I scanned it on and the scanner bleeped at me so i thought i'd recieve a bill through the post or something (first time using one). I got on my train and as the Ticket Inspector walked down i explained what i had done and asked her if it was OK, she later turned out to be a Revenue Protection Officer for EMT. She took my card and said that the card was only for season tickets but took it and phoned the card place. She said there was no ticket on the card so i offered to pay for a paper one, she refused and said it's too late. She then got me off the train at Derby Station (I started at Long Eaton, commuting to Belper) and took me to the front desk. I asked her if i could use a phone to call my parent and she said she'd check my details and be a few minutes then i could. I gave her my details and version of events in full. I got my phone out (with no credit) to get my parent's number out and she said i couldn't use her phone because i had one, she said that i had a phone and im trying to waste her time. She even threatened to call the police and my volunteer work and 'see what they thought of it' in the end she said she'd be reporting it and i'd get a letter in the post to take me to court. I made her fully aware i was 16 and asked her for ID so i could write down her name, She flashed her name badge (pinned onto her shirt) at me and shouted 'I'm ****** and i'm a REVENUE PROTECTION OFFICER!' (Don't know if i'm allowed to post names). Afterwards when i got to my volunteers position (late) and spoke to two volunteers (One a Magistrate and one a former Police Officer) and they said what she did was out of order and they probably wouldn't do anything because of her behaviour (shouting, refusing me access to a phone, questioning me without a responsible adult, not showing me a badge of authority or cautioning me and apparently anything i said to her was inadmissible in court). Any advice? I'm still waiting on the letter. Thanks, Alphoria

Hi, back in august I just broke up with my partner and was feeling very upset so took a train from liverpool to St. Helens to go see my parents, I bought a return ticket. Whilst I was there I was upset so decided I would stay the night and travel home next day. Next day I took the train home and nobody came to check tickets on the train, I got to the barriers, to the side was a small stand where people could buy tickets. I went straight through the gates with my return ticket and went to hand it to the officer checking instead, as I was passing it over I noticed the return date was for the previous day. I went over and explained to him I'd bought the return not realizing it was a same day one as I travel quite a bit and usually a return is open for the month, apologised and said I'd have to buy a ticket. The officer got very nasty and started saying he wanted my details as this was fare evasion. I was quite shocked and tried to explain I work in compliance myself and would never do that, it was quite clearly a mistake just by looking at the dates on my ticket, I hadn't handed in a random old ticket or wasn't like I didn't have one. plus I was extremely upset over my breakup and didn't even cross my mind, it was the return part to a the journey and I hadnt relized it had ran out, I hadn't checked it as hadn't had any reason to as far as I thought! He was so rude and I stupidly said "I'm probably on more money then you why would I try and avoid paying 3.90??" More because I was so offended and confused why he was speaking to me like dirt and accusing me of this. It would make no sense to pay more to buy a return knowing it would be of date if I was going to fare evade?! Plus I was the one who pointed the mistake out to him and said I had to buy one?! But anyway he took my details, confirmed them and off I went. I got a letter in December askin me to give my version of events so I sent it in. Now I have received a court summons accusing me of abusive language and attempt to fare Avade?! He claims after givin my details I walked away and said "go **** yourself" which I honestly never! Why would I give in my details, let him confirm them and then swear at him?? That would be stupid! I'm so upset. I haven't purposely done anything wrong, I already suffer with depression and anxiety and don't know what to do here. I'm a single mum and if I get a criminal record I could lose my job as I'm a civil servant workin in compliance. .I actually work to prevent fraud not go out there and commit it!!! Could anyone give me advice on what to do please?? Surely they can see the CCTV and see I approach him and point it out and hear I never swore?? Wouldn't he have to provide proof of this??

So i was travelling on a train without a ticket because I had forgotten it. When i was questioned, I initially gave a false name and address. Now the train company has taken this to the magistrates court and i face conviction. I am a healthcare professional and so i really cannot afford to have a criminal conviction. What do i do? Will this effect my ability to get a job in the future?

Hello everyone - thank you in advance for any help you're able to give me. I have been sent a court summons for travelling without having previously paid the fare and with the intention to avoid payment. I would like some advice please because I do not think I am guilty, yet would prefer to pay than go to court. The situation is that last October I was travelling from London to commuter-land after work. It's not a journey I do at all regularly. I had a railcard for London zones 1-3 and as I was running slightly late for the train I asked the member of staff by the ticket barrier in London if it was OK to buy the remainder of my ticket at the other end - i.e. from the boundary of zone 3 to my destination. He said this was fine. On arrival I explained this to the staff at the ticket barriers and they let me through to buy a ticket, whereupon I joined the queue. I was supposed to be met by my mother and I saw her in the foyer from the queue. I shouted out to her and she, thinking that my voice was coming from elsewhere (she's quite deaf), turned to walk out of the station. I left the queue and walked after her, reaching her just at the exit to the station. I was about to give her a hug and say hello when the Revenue Protection Assistant ran up to me and accused me of fare evasion, etc. because I was outside the station boundary. I cooperated and answered all the questions, and was very civil to him. The thing I didn't tell him, because I didn't think at the time that it was relevant, was that I was only making this journey to visit my mum and grandmother because my grandfather had passed away two days previously. It was a highly emotional time and the first time I had seen my mum since she'd lost her dad. Obviously giving her a proper hug was a more important priority at that moment than paying the £8 ticket, although I had every intention to do so. I was sent a letter asking for my details etc back in January and I wrote in response giving this additional info because I believe it was a mitigating factor. And then yesterday I received my court summons. It's a first offence, and yes, I did travel without previously having paid for the whole journey, but I checked with a member of staff beforehand and they said that it was fine. I had every intention of paying for the full journey. It was absolutely not my intention to avoid the fare. I am happy to pay a fine, but I am very worried about getting a criminal reference - I work in the civil service and am at the beginning of my career. I don't want to plead guilty because I don't think I am guilty of having the intention of avoiding payment. However, I also do not want to go to court and would prefer to settle and quickly and painlessly as possible. I'm really quite worried about this and have no idea how to go forward... What should I do? Any advice would be much appreciated! Many many thanks.

Today I was stopped when I left the station without a ticket. I was travelling from Station A to Station B. I am 19 and am a student. The last thing I would want it a criminal record! I just have to wait for the letter now. What should I expect, and is there anything I can do in the mean time. Thanks

Hi My boyfriend and I got caught trying to catch a short fare. I have received my fine and paid it (last Friday 12/7/13) but his has yet to come through. We both know we were in the wrong and are willing to pay the fine, but we have a problem that we are going away soon for over a month. As FGW only give you 10 days to pay the fine before they take you to court, does anyone know of any measures he can take before we leave in case it arrives while we're away? He doesn't want to go through the whole prosecution process just because we weren't here to pay the fine. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi guys, Wondering if you could offer some advice please? I received a letter today stating that I evaded a £2.50 fare last October and need to pay an £80 fine within 14 days. I'm 100% sure that this was not me - it said I traveled from Liverpool South Way to Hough Green - I don't think I've ever been to Liverpool South Way in my life. It doesn't say any times or specifics, just says it has evidence. What evidence would this be? I have never ever been stopped by a ticket inspector in my life, and I very rarely get the train. What seems strange is it was sent to my Mum's address (which I haven't lived at for over 2 years) and it even had her post code down wrong on the letter. I have checked and I was in work on that day 9-5:30 (I work nowhere near Liverpool.) Hough Green is one of my local train stations though. How would they even get my details? What can I do here? Many thanks for any advice you could offer.

Hi CAG; I've been holding out on posting here since the incident as I have been checking other topics, but now I would like to ask for advice. I traveled on South West Trains on March 20th from Poole to Holton Heath (HH is unmanned and no barrier). I got to Poole train station and boarded without a ticket. I had previously purchased tickets a number of times on the actual SW train and have never been warned for doing so. Of course I have used ticket machines on platforms before, but that today was not one of those occasions. The train was quiet, so I sat down and took out my wallet to prepare to pay. The train started moving and around halfway through the journey, two people entered my carriage. The inspector came up to my seat. I had my money already out at this point. I said to him "One single to Holton Heath please" and offered the money. They both sat down and then started asking me my personal information. I was confused and nervous, but cooperated fully. They both got off at the next station. One of them was asking me the questions, the other was my replies. I remember he said to me "Where would you have purchased your ticket if we had not come?". I was in a state of shock with the money still in my hand. I said "I wouldn't have been able to, but I was not intending to fare dodge". The thought had never crossed my mind. I have always been prompted for a ticket whenever I have traveled on SWT. I used to be a railcard holder for three years, and since the incident I have paid over £100 for train tickets. They let me leave after I had signed the page and they said that I might or might not hear back from them. It has since been two weeks and no letter yet although of course the bank holiday does not count as working days. I told my parents and they have been worried. I called up SWT shortly after the incident and the man said "If this is your first offence, you will just get a warning letter, just please try and get your ticket before you board". My mother has also emailed them, but they have not replied yet. Additionally, on my last train journey I told one of the conductors on the train what had happened and asked him what will likely happen. He said "you are likely to get a fixed penalty notice in the post plus the fare, do not worry about getting a criminal record". After reading these topics, I am now much the wiser - I just wish ticket people on the train would have told me the consequences. I thought I was abiding by the rules just fine. I have since purchased tickets online and through platform ticket machines. A criminal record would be devastating to me. I am on anti-depressants and I had tried taking my life earlier this year. In an effort to turn my life around, I hope to teach English in Japan this summer and prosecution would stop me from doing so. I realise I have done wrong, on several accounts. I expect criticism and the worst case scenario, for it seems my life feeds off of misery. I will update when I receive the letter for court summons.

Hi everyone. i'm in need of some advice. Last wednesday i had arranged to go and see some friends in london and intended to use the train to get there. at around 4pm i went to my local trainstation (Marden). The ticket office was closed so i went over to the permit machine to by a permit to travel that i could exchange on the train or when i get to london. The machine was out of order aswell. I boarded the train anyway and thought i could explain it to the train staff when i get to london and buy my ticket there. I was a bit early and decided to get off a stop early at sevenoaks. when i reached the gates there were a large group of revenue inspectors. I approached one of them and explained my situation to him. He took me over to another staff member with a ticket machine. I explained that the ticket office was closed and that the permit to travel machine was not working. He immediately said "its a penalty fare mate" I explained to him again and he just kept repeating "its a penalty fare". he would not listen. at the time i was thinking that penalty fare meant that i was gonna go to court and get prosecuted. I started to panic and tried to make a run for it but was caught by 3 big men who must have worked for revenue inspection. they took me into the corner and told me that i was going to be prosecuted. i tried explaining that their colleague was not listening. they took my details and said i would be hearing from them in the next 4-6 weeks. I know i shudnt have ran off but i didnt want to be fined for fare avading when that never was my intention. now i dont know what to do. i'm unemployed and can't receive legal aid for this kind of incident. Any advice would be much appreciated thanks.

Hi, I am really worrying about this so some help or advice would be really appreciated. I was travelling with a young person today who holds an 11-15 Zip card. We topped up his card at the beginning of the journey. When we came to the tube station to make our way home, his card kept flashing up with an error. As I was in a rush I thought it would be ok for him to come through the barriers with me using my Oyster Card and just pay at the other end. The ticket inspector saw this and asked to check the young person's oyster card. She told me he had gone through on my card and so I would need to top his up to ensure he could exit. I did this and we left with nothing further happening. I have been thinking about the incident and am now worried myself or the child will be sent a letter regarding fare evasion. My details were not noted down and the child's oyster card was not taken away. Is there anyway for Tfl to find out our addresses just from it being scanned through? Am I likely to get into trouble for fare evasion. Looking back now I realise it was stupid to think he would be able to pay at the other end and wish I had not done it. Please give me any advice you have on whether there is a possibility of me getting into trouble for this. Thanks

Hi as you can probably tell I am new here and was wondering if anybody could provide me with some advice. I recently received a letter from Northern Rail saying that I am being investigated due to an incident of non-payment of rail fare back in October. They are now asking me to reply with a statement of my version of events. This is what happened on that day: I boarded a train at Moston station in Manchester heading to Manchester Victoria station. As Moston station has no ticket machines or offices I had no choice but to board the train without buying a ticket, normally you can buy a ticket from the conductor on board, but because the train was very busy I could not buy a ticket before arriving at Victoria. As I do not regularly travel on the train I am not familiar with the layout of Victoria station, therefore after arriving I headed towards an exit believing that I could purchase a ticket from a member of staff before or at the exit. As I approached the doors at the end of the footbridge I could see somebody checking tickets, i assumed that I would be able to buy a ticket from this person (or get directions to buy tickets). However before I reached the doors at the far end I was approached from behind by a ticket inspector who asked to see a ticket. (Which I could not produce). He then asked me to speak to the person who I saw checking tickets through the doors, who would take my details. This officer then asked me a few questions (such as where did you travel from etc.), however then final question he asked was "Had I not stopped you would you have carried on without paying?" as I was panicking a lot a this point I rather stupidly said "Yes" and he made a note of this along with my other answers. I did also tell him that I was not aware that you could not buy a ticket in this area of the station. He then asked me to sign against the points in his notebook, however I misheard him and instead ticked against them, and gave him the notebook back. He then said that he actually wanted a signature I apologized and then began to sign against the points (four in total), I began to do this but before I had signed against all of them he said "That's ok" and took the book back. (I believe I had only signed against the first two points at this point). He then let me go and I turned back and went to the other side of the station and purchased a ticket (as he had pointed out to me). To clarify if I had not been stopped I would have carried on to the exit but if I had found no ticket machines or staff there I would have returned to the station and found someone I could buy a ticket from. Would anybody be able to give me advice with this/drafting a response to Northern rail? Sorry about the long post

I was wondering if anyone here could shed some light on what action i can expect against myself regarding a rail fare evasion, perhaps from their own experience or knowledge within the area. I recently travelled on a single fare trip within the South West of England and misinformed the ticket conductor deliberately that my trip was shorter than the actual trip. Therefore redcuing the fare by £4.70. However, they soon clocked on to what i had done. I admitted everything and was given a caution, advised i had commited fraud, read my rights and interviewed in the station, my details were taken and i was advised i would receive a letter and have a certain time to respond in or it would be taken to court. This is the first time something like this has happened to me and it was a stupid mistake on my part. As mentioned at the start can anyone advise on what penalties/fines/actions i can expect against me.

Hi there, I'm hoping someone can help me. Last month I was caught on a London Bus with my mother's discounted job seekers Bus pass. Genuine mistake, but then everyone says that and quite frankly it isn't really the point. What is however is that I am being taken to a Magistrates court by TFL on the offence. With it being a first time offense on I think this seems incredibly harsh, but I was willing to go along with pleading guilty and paying the fine... Until I noticed on one of the 'FAQ' attached forms that I'm going receive a Criminal record for it!? I was told numerous times by the inspector that I simply would have to pay a fine and be done it. Even in the attached statement of the inspector he quotes me as worrying about receiving a criminal record on the day (I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing?). Things to perhaps note: 1) I at the time had a claim for job seekers pending at the which was eventually accepted, so I could/would have been entitled to the same discount. 2) The DOB on the court papers is wrong 3) One check of the oyster card's history would show that it was only used almost entirely for the same journey y, i.e my mother picking my brother up from school. I'm not a serial fare dodger, in fact one look at my own oyster I'm "happy" to do that, but getting a criminal record actually seems like the end of the world to me and I want to do everything possible to avoid it. Any advice? Could anybody give me a minor run down on how much of an impact this is likely to have on my life? I take it I can kiss goodbye to becoming a Police officer or a teacher? Thanks

Hi all Sorry a bit long winded all this. Thanks in advance for taking the time to look at this thread. I'll give you a brief overview of the situation and then just a couple of questions if anyone could advise further that would be great. I was recently stopped at my destination station without a ticket for my journey. I was in a rush for the train that night and as a result did not purchase a ticket before I travelled (there are plenty of ticket machines etc at this station). On the train no ticket conductor came around and it completely slipped my mind to by a ticket. I was stopped as I was leaving my destination station and questioned under caution by a ticket inspector. I gave an honest account of the situation but didn't quite realise the seriousness of the situation at the time. When asked how I intended to pay for my journey at the end of the interview I initially said "i guess I wouldn't have bought one" but then asked that the statement be changed to "I wouldn't have been able too". The inspector said I would receive a letter in 2-3 weeks and I am currently waiting for this letter which I understand will probably propose their intention to convict me in court (almost certainly of fare evasion) and ask me to respond. I am clearly in the wrong here and now fully understand the seriousness of my actions. I work in the NHS and I am really worried about the potential impact this will have on my career if it go's to court. As a result I contacted a solicitor who advised to wait for the initial letter and then respond with a letter apologising for the incident and pointing out my previous good character and the potential damage of any court appearance given my position. Being worried sick I have spent the day trawling the forums for any advice on composing a suitable letter and have one formulated in preparation. One of my main concerns is that the solicitor has advised me not to dwell on the offence only to apologise for it, in the risk that I will further incriminate myself should I decide to defend myself in court. As far as I can tell the letter will ask for my version of events and as such I have detailed them exactly as I described to the ticket officer and described it as an error on my part. I have then gone on to apologise, point out the potential damage of court proceedings and make an offer to cover any penalties + costs involved. I know I am trying to second guess the not very exact science of writing these letters but should I leave out any reference to the event and stick with the apology etc ??? Or should I leave this part in given that it is the information I provided during interview ?? My instinct is that any damage has already been done when giving my initial statement and as such a further explanation of the reasons I had not bought a ticket won't help but won't do me any harm either. I'm guessing the main bit of advice here will be too wait to see what the letter says but I can't stop worrying about this and just want to feel prepared for the worst should it arise. Thanks.

Hello. I've read quite a few threads on here and elsewhere regarding these letters, but I was just wondering about our specific circumstances. My 15 year old daughter went camping one evening in August, and ended up further away from home than she expected (a long walk). She didn't take any money, consequently when she and her friends got the train home (one stop from Goostrey to Holmes Chapel), they were caught by the ticket inspector and their details taken. Now, a couple of months later, she has received a fare evasion letter threatening prosecution, which has worried us both immensely. She has never been in any sort of trouble before and is in the middle of GCSEs so we don't want this hanging over our heads. I am fairly sure that, if she writes to them on the back of the form explaining the circumstances and that she is extremely sorry, and also that we will pay the fare plus costs, she will not be taken to court. However, I'm hoping that someone on this forum could reassure us about this!

Hi All, This might be lengthy so I apologise. I'll start of by explaining my journey and what I've done since and hopefully see what advice there is. I'm feeling bullied and treated like a criminal for what ammounts to a mistake i rectified as soon as possible. I took an early train from London st pancras to london gatwick (airport) at around 3:30am Tapped in with oyster card at st pancras Got to the other end and asked the staff where to tap out - got taken to a inspector and told I had to pay a penalty as I was 1 stop outside the oyster zone. I explained I couldn't pay the £20 and I had a flight to catch and couldn't he just sell me a ticket from the last stop. He said that's what he was saying and I could simply pay the minimum £5 single fare and deal with the rest on appeal. Took my penalty slip, caught my flight, thought nothing more of it, got back a few days later and due to my accommodation (hostel) I managed to misplace most of my paper work, which meant re-printing flights etc but thats a seperate matter. Unfortunately I didn't have the fare letter. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I now have a 'Final Notice' that I avoided my fare and had admin costs etc to pay. I wrote back, explaining the situation that I believed I was going to a london station, paid the remainder of my journey on arrival and had no chance to do otherwise. I'm now facing a 'Notification of Alleged Fare Evasion' and a fee to pay of £55 (£20 fare, £40 prosecution, -£5 already paid) The letter states 'I therefore contend that the intention of crystalgeek was to travel on the railway without having previously paid and intent to avoid paying' which is completely untrue - the ticket inspector checked my oyster card and saw I had tapped in. What do I do now? Will I have to go to court and if yes, what chance do I have to prove I was travelling without having payed and intending not to pay The letter quotes Section 5.3a of the Regulation of Railways Act

Hello everyone I was wondering if someone could give me some advice. I was charged for fare evasion of which I was completely guilty. I admitted this when I was first caught and also in a letter to London Transport when they sent there intent to prosecute me. 3 weeks before my trial I sent the form to the court admitting my guilt apologising for my actions and also letting the court know that I had changed address since the offence and to please send any future correspondance to that address. 2 and a half weeks after my court case I had still not heard anything of the outcome so I rang the court. They had sent the letter to my old address of which I now have no access to. When I asked why this was when I said my change of address with my plea they told me they had never recieved my guilty plea and that I had been tried in my absense. As the guilty plea was not taken into account in court my fine is now £545. This is a first offense and I have never been in trouble before. I have written to the court explaining the circumstances and asking them to review the fine.(And have sent in special delivery this time so I can track it) Is there anything else I can do? Without the letter they sent me I don`t even know when I need to pay the fine by as they won`t tell me over the phone!