Tfl bus prosecution

[clo1234]

i was given a single justice Procedure for using a travel mandate issued by another person.

I have pleaded guilty and paid the fine.

However it was only later that I realised tfl had never advised me about an out of court settlement.

 

I have read others in my situation settled it out of court.

Was it wrong for tfl for not telling that i could have settled it out of court.

 

I would like to become a children’s nurse however a criminal conviction of this sort may hinder may chances.

Can i still reclaim back the fine i paid and opt for the out of court settlement instead.

 

I feel as if it is not fair at all that tfl have treated me this way it is my rights to know all the outlining options i have and avoid a criminal conviction. 

[clo1234]

When i was first given the letter to appeal I explained to IAP that i did not have my purse with me as I accidentally left it in my locker At work and so did not have any money to pay for a bus fare.

 

As i was in a rush to get to work i took my brothers oyster 11-15yrs which was very stupid of me i know. I sincerely apologised to them and told them i would never do it again. Later I received a single justice procedure notice saying i can either plead guilty or not guilty and turn up in person or not turn up in person.

 

However the bus ticket inspectors stated that i had said I accidentally took my brothers oyster instead of my own ( i did not say this however i have realised now that would have been better to say in my appeal). I did not receive a letter saying this can be settled out of court?? 

 

I pleaded guilty online through the link they mentioned online. There was also a part online where i had to explain my side again but I stupidly left this blank and submitted it.

 

Is it worth getting my case reopened so i can try avoiding a criminal conviction and be able to study at uni for child nursing. I only recently turned 19 and on a gap year. Its really unfair that ive been given a criminal conviction even though this is my first time using someone elses oyster and i am still so young but now this has ruined my future. 

[clo1234]

i honestly did not know it was illegal for me to use it which i know sounds stupid right now. The most i thought would happen is paying a penalty charge of £40. Not a whole criminal conviction.
 

I couldnt burrow money as there was no one at home to ask. I took my brothers oyster without him knowing.  
 
i also didnt think about mentioning to pay in my first appeal. I was very panicked by the whole situation and didnt have anyone to help me and didnt know who to go to for help. Getting a solicitor is way too expensive. 
 

is there anything i can do right now to amend my mistake and get rid of the criminal conviction. Or have my chances of becoming a child nurse gone down the drain

 

under section 142 of the magistrates court act it mentions i can reopen a case if i missed a stage which was part of the proceedings. Could me not explaining my situation again in the online link be part of that? 

Edited March 15, 2020 by clo1234

[clo1234]

I was caught on the 21st november.

But i received the letter to pay the fine of £225.50 on February the 18th.

 

I paid the amount immediately as i did not want to think about the situation anymore and thought if i paid the fine i wont have a criminal record.  

[clo1234]

A lot of the internet based advice i searched did not have the same situation as me or reason. I also did not realise how this would have impacted my ucas application as my course requires an enhanced dbs check. Honestly ive never heard of this website before i only just stumbled across it. 
 

Had i known about all of this before my outcome would have been very different and not so rash and i shoot myself in the foot for that. 
 

however from doing further research i have found out on NMCs (regulator for nursing & midwifery professions in the uk) guidelines that they do not investigate convictions that were an only offence and do not involve members of public or violence etc. I have also emailed the university i would like to study at and told them about this situation and whether they will still accept me. Just awaiting response

[clo1234]

Hi just a quick update from me. Ive been accepted onto the children’s nursing course by the university!!