Chiltern Rails - ticket not valid for entire journey **RESOLVED OOC**

[Stigy]

On 18/04/2019 at 10:57, Andres1974 said:

Good morning all. I am very glad I found this forum.

I wanted to request assistance on a few questions please.

 

Story:

I was caught with a ticket from Marylebone to location B (my home location), but the ticket was only valid to location A.

This trainline has different journeys, where some do stop in location A, but this one in particular didn't. It was straight to my home.

The ticket inspector came and asked for my ticket, which i showed.

 

He inquired about the ticket and I hesitated, but made up a story that I had a business meeting in location A, but he didn't believe me (I don't blame him).

He then asked for my ID and I told him I didn't have it with me.

 

He asked for my name and address and proof (like a bank statement), which I showed from my phone.

He was going to take a picture and I put my phone away,

 

he then started asking about my date of birth and what I did for a living.

At that point and to add to the fire,  i started asking him if he had the right to ask for all this information as he was a civilian.

Obviously, he didn't like that.

 

I asked as I felt intimated, he then said that he could call the British Transit Police if I refused to cooperate.

I told him I had cooperated, he wanted by name and address and I had given those to him, that I felt I should be able to inquire about how much authority he had over a civilian and he was one him self.

 

He then asked me to get off with him in location B,

he sat in a bench and started writing in a notepad what seemed to be the recollection of questions and answers.

 

I realized we were not going to get to any resolution so I asked if he could legally hold me.

He said "no", but that he was almost done.

 

I decided to walk away, he turn his camera and read a version of the Miranda Rights (if this questions could be used in court, etc) and started following me.

I replied "no" and carried on walking. 

 

By reading the forum, i am pretty sure I am going to get a letter.

 

My question: 

 

1. Is there a point to hire a solicitor to help me deal with this from the get go?

If this is the case, does anyone know the approximate cost and recommended ones. 

 

2. When I get the letter, I was thinking that instead of writing the summary of events from below,

just simply stating 'Yes, i was a with ticket that didn't complete the full journey' admitting I was in the wrong and start asking to pay the ticket and a fine?

Is there a point telling the whole story? 

 

Has anyone had an experience similar to mine?

I would appreciate any feedback, tips and recommendations. 

 

You were of course quite within your rights to ask questions with regard to the member of staff’s authority over you etc, and all you legally have to supply is your name and address. It sounds as though he thought you were being difficult? This doesn’t help your case of course, but that’s how it sounded Reading your post. 

 

I suggest awaiting any correspondence from the train operator and go from there. You mentioned you were read your rights, or words to that effect? You were cautioned, but it sounds like you chose not to answer any questions. This is of course your right, but in refusing to answer questions, you can’t really submit any defence for your actions should the matter go to court. That’s the whole idea of the caution.

 

reading your post, it sounds like you want to hold your hands up anyway, so is and when a letter does arrive, I’d suggest a ‘damage limitation’ approach and send the default grovelling reply asking to meet their reasonable admin charges to keep the matter out of court.