Caught fare evasion in tube station - jumped turnstile - now SJPN

[Seven77]

Hi all, 

I'm a student who got caught for fare evasion in tube station on 5 days ago. 

On that day, I follow my friend to go outside the turnstile, and I indeed didn't buy a valid ticket when I rode the tube.

It's indeed my first time to evade fare and the reason I do so is just because I feel it's fun.

I'm a Chinese and when I was caught, I tell told staff my English name, but I didn't say my Chinese name, because I'm afraid that I will have the criminal record.

I'm really stupid. I'm currently very stressful as I receive this letter.

I really don't know how I could reply TfL.

I'm afraid  that I will have a criminal record.

Can anyone help me?

I do appreciate your help.

If I don't need to have a criminal record, I will donate to this meaningful website.

I received a reference letter as following:

On [DATE] you were reported to Transport for London (TfL) for an offence(s) on the TfL Public Transport Network. The facts of this incident are being considered and I must advise you that legal proceedings may be taken against you in accordance with Transport of London’s prosecution policy.

In order for TfL to deal with this case correctly, please return the information requested on the reverse of this letter, by e-mail to [email protected] within 10 days, including the case number stated above. Alternatively, you can send the letter by post.

You do not have to reply to this letter but it may harm your defence if you do not mention something now which you may later rely on in court. Anything you do provide in writing my be used in evidence.

Failure to respond to this letter may result in the matter being progressed by Transport for London without further notification.

If you require further information please go to; https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/prosecutions and see the Revenue Enforcement and Prosecution Policy.

Transport for London, its subsidiaries and service providers, will use your personal information for the purposes of administering enforcement activity, including prosecutions, penalty fares, responding to appeals, and fraud prevention. We may also share your personal information with London Councils, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service, relevant Tran Operating Companies, Credit Reference Agencies, Debt Collection Agencies and Court appointed Bailiffs for these purposes. Your personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of privacy and data protection legislation. In certain circumstances, TfL may also disclose your personal information to the police and other law enforcement agencies for the purpose of prevention or detection of crime. Further information on how we use your data can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/privacy.

 Case No. [Number] PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SECTION IN BLOCK CAPITALS

Last Name of person reported ____________

First Names ____________

Date of Birth ____________

UK Address ____________

Telephone Number ____________

Email Address ____________

Date ____________

Signed ____________

 

1.        If you deny committing an offence, please explain why and provide any available evidence.

2.        If you accept committing an offence, please provide any exceptional reasons including pre-existing medical conditions that you may feel are relevant and evidence to support this, as to why TfL should not proceed with a prosecution

3.        If this is in relation to a ticket irregularity, then if you were unable to produce a pass because you did not have it with you or if your pass was withdrawn because you were unable to produce a valid photocard to accompany it, please enclose a photocopy of the pass/photocard with your reply.

 

I read some topics about caught by TfL. Thanks to those topic, I have the following thoughts:

1. I accept committing an offence, and I go to buy a season ticket to claim that I will not do such thing again.
2. should I explain why I tell my English name when I was caught, and not provide my Chinese name? It's because I was too nerves at that moment, so my brain freeze. I didn't notice that I should use Chinese name at that moment. I'm used to say my English name when I talk in English. (My Chinese name is hard to spell so I seldom use Chinese name in English). 
3. I should tell them that it's indeed my first time to do so and I will not do it anymore.
4. I'm a PhD student so that I was class teacher at last year, and I also want to be a class teacher this year and be a lecturer after I graduate. the criminal record will not allow me to be a teacher anymore. I indeed want to teach students more knowledge and contribute to UK society.
5. I can provide a translated document that I have mental issue as Depression and Anxiety. The original document is in Chinese, and NHS does not have any record of this. Should I provide it?

Based on my thoughts above, I plan to write a letter as following, can anyone help me to modify it?

To whom it may concern,

 

My TfL case number is XXXXXX.

My Last name is：

First name is：

…… (My information)

Thank TfL for giving me the opportunity to explain my wrong and stupid actions. I have realized that my inexcusable actions were wrong, and I am deeply remorseful. I earnestly apologise for my wrong actions. After continuously self-criticizing my wrong actions these days, I can’t go to sleep and repent every day. I promise that it was my first time of fare evasion and it will never happen again. I’m willing to pay any amount of fine immediately, if it is possible.

I understand that everyone use TfL service has responsibility to buy valid tickets every time. Without the tickets, TfL cannot operate normally and can’t provide service to the society. So I indeed feel very guilty about my defence.

I also hope to explain how a criminal record would severely impact me.

I feel very guilty, and I know that I can’t blame anyone but myself. I feel that my depression and anxiety (please see the document and the medicine I’m using) are becoming very serious. I constantly trembling, crying, and at times struggling to breathe. The criminal record may result in my worse health condition.

In addition, I’m now a PhD student at XXX University, and I was a class teacher at last year (Please see the document). I really love this job and love to teach a lot of lovely students. I have reached a verbal agreement to continue to be a class teacher this year, and I desire to be a teacher in university after I graduate. I dream of spreading knowledge and contribute to UK society.

Specially, I really hope that I could still talk to those lovely students. I just start my second year of my PhD programme, I do love my research, and desire to continue research after I graduate. A criminal conviction will no longer allow me to be a teacher in the future and I can’t continue my loved research anymore. I desire to make contribution our society via using my research. Every time I come up with this, I’m extremely heartbroken.

I don’t have any history of criminality in the past, and I promise I will never crime in the future. I have bought a season ticket (please see the document) which could allow me to use in the future. Fare evasion will never happen again to me. 

I know that I did wrong things and I desire an opportunity to make amends. I am happy to immediately pay any amount of fine.(*) I think a prosecution would have an unfair and disproportionate impact on my health and my incoming job as a teacher. I hope that I could receive some mercy. I sincerely apologize again. I hope that I’ve explained myself clearly and provided sufficient evidence, if you need anything further from me to help you reach your decision please let me know. Thank you again. 

 

Yours Faithfully,

My name

 

[dx100uk]

well done very good.

i would pers removed the green and add at (*) .. and any resultant admin fees to seek an Out Of Court Settlement or a written warning.

all you point 1-5 are good too and i would action them.

let's see what others also advise.

i really doubt you would ever get a criminal record for this and will most probably see only a warning letter.

it might also be a good idea to include your comment of thinking do so was fun.. until you did it. shows inexperience of youth...being totally honest is a very good thing in these TfL letters.

dx

 

[Seven77]

Thank you so much dx.

Do you think that I need to explain why I tell my English name instead of my Chinese name when I was caught?

My passport does not has my English name.

I just modified my letter as follow:

Thank TfL for giving me the opportunity to explain my wrong and stupid actions. I have realized that my inexcusable actions were wrong, and I am deeply remorseful. I earnestly apologise for my wrong actions. After continuously self-criticizing my wrong actions these days, I can’t go to sleep and repent every day. I promise that it was my first time of fare evasion and it will never happen again. I’m willing to pay any amount of fine immediately, if it is possible.

I understand that everyone use TfL service has responsibility to buy valid tickets every time. Without the tickets, TfL cannot operate normally and can’t provide service to the society. So I indeed feel very guilty about my defence.

I feel very guilty, and I know that I can’t blame anyone but myself. I feel that my depression and anxiety (please see the document and the medicine I’m using) are becoming very serious. I constantly trembling, crying, and at times struggling to breathe. The criminal record may result in my worse health condition.

In addition, I’m now a PhD student at XXX University, and I was a class teacher at last year (Please see the document). I really love this job and love to teach a lot of lovely students. I have reached a verbal agreement to continue to be a class teacher this year, and I desire to be a teacher in university after I graduate. I dream of spreading knowledge and contribute to UK society.

Specially, I really hope that I could still talk to those lovely students. I just start my second year of my PhD programme, I do love my research, and desire to continue research after I graduate. A criminal conviction will no longer allow me to be a teacher in the future and I can’t continue my loved research anymore. I desire to make contribution our society via using my research. Every time I come up with this, I’m extremely heartbroken.

I don’t have any history of criminality in the past, and I promise I will never crime in the future. I evaded fare because I was with my girlfriend, I just felt that follow her and evade fare was fun. I have paid price for my youthful ignorance. Now I deeply regret my offence and understand its significant negative impact on society. I have bought a season ticket (please see the document) which could allow me to use in the future. Fare evasion will never happen again to me. 

I know that I did wrong things and I desire an opportunity to make amends. I am happy to immediately pay any amount of fine and any resultant admin fees to seek an Out of Court Settlement. 

I think a prosecution would have an unfair and disproportionate impact on my health and my incoming job as a teacher. I hope that I could receive some mercy. I sincerely apologize again. I hope that I’ve explained myself clearly and provided sufficient evidence, if you need anything further from me to help you reach your decision please let me know. Thank you again. 

 

Yours Faithfully,

My name

 

Sorry, dx. you have told me to explain it

[honeybee13]

Hi.

I wouldn't worry too much about giving them your English name, lots of people panic when they're stopped by TfL. When you put your name on their form, you could put your Chinese first name and then your English first name in brackets.

It's probably worth sending the document about your mental health but if it's in Chinese they may not be able to read it.

HB

[Seven77]

Hi, honeybee. Thank you for your suggestions. Do you think there is any need to provide my mental health condition? Seven.

[honeybee13]

Well they do mention it in their letter. But if it's in a language they can't read, they aren't going to pay to have it translated.

Most people here don't send medical evidence.

HB

[Seven77]

Thank you HB. I could provide the translated document. I modify my begging letter. Could you please give me any suggstion about it? Do I need to modify any place?

 

To whom it may concern,

 

My TfL case number is XXXXXX.

My Last name is：

First name is：Chinese name (English name)

…… (My information)

Thank TfL for giving me the opportunity to explain my wrong and stupid actions. I have realized that my inexcusable actions were wrong, and I am deeply remorseful. I earnestly apologise for my wrong actions. After continuously self-criticizing my wrong actions these days, I can’t go to sleep and repent every day. I promise that it was my first time of fare evasion and it will never happen again. I beg to pay all unpaid fare, any resultant admin fees and any amount of fine immediately, if it is possible.

I understand that everyone use TfL service has responsibility to buy valid tickets every time. Without the tickets, TfL cannot operate normally and can’t provide service to the society. So I indeed feel very guilty about my offence.

I feel very guilty, and I know that I can’t blame anyone but myself. I feel that my depression and anxiety (please see the document and the medicine I’m using) are becoming very serious. I constantly trembling, crying, and at times struggling to breathe. The criminal record may result in my worse health condition.

In addition, I’m now a PhD student at XXX University, and I was a class teacher at last year (Please see the document). I really love this job and love to teach a lot of lovely students. I have reached a verbal agreement to continue to be a class teacher this year, and I desire to be a teacher in university after I graduate. I dream of spreading knowledge and contribute to UK society.

Specially, I really hope that I could still talk to those lovely students. I just start my second year of my PhD programme, I do love my research, and desire to continue research after I graduate. A criminal conviction will no longer allow me to be a teacher in the future and I can’t continue my loved research anymore. I desire to make contribution our society via using my research. Every time I come up with this, I’m extremely heartbroken.

I don’t have any history of criminality in the past, and I promise I will never crime in the future. I evaded fare because I was with my girlfriend, I just felt that follow her and evade fare was fun. I have paid price for my youthful ignorance. Now I deeply regret my offence and understand its significant negative impact on society. I have bought a season ticket (please see the document) which could allow me to use in the future. Fare evasion will never happen again to me. 

I would also like to explain my name as X(my English name) and XX(my Chinese name). I said X on that day because I was too nerves at that moment. My brain freezed. I didn't notice that I should use Chinese name at that moment. I'm used to say my English name when I talk in English as my Chinese name is hard to spell, which result in I seldom use Chinese name in English communication.

I know that I did wrong things and I desire an opportunity to make amends. I offer to immediately pay all unpaid fare, any resultant admin fees and any amount of fine to beg you to consider an Out of Court Settlement. I think a prosecution would have an unfair and disproportionate impact on my health and my incoming job as a teacher. I hope that I could receive some mercy. I sincerely apologize again. I hope that I’ve explained myself clearly and provided sufficient evidence, if you need anything further from me to help you reach your decision please let me know. Thank you again. 

 

Yours Faithfully,

My name

[honeybee13]

I have a couple of comments, will be back later. 

HB

[Seven77]

Thanks, HB. I’ll wait for you back

Hi all CAG friends.

I just find that there’s no season ticket for London Underground. Should I just buy a monthly pass? Seven.

[dx100uk]

are you going to be using it? do you often travel that route?

no point in buying a pass if its of no use. waste of money. 

why dont you get an oyster card then you can load it when needed?

[Seven77]

Thanks dx.

I use a PAYG oyster card 3 times a week.

The start station on that day is near my home, I often go to there, and the end station is just near from the station I often arrive. So a monthly card is useful for me. But the most important thing is that I wanna show that I will not evade fare anymore. I'm not sure what will happen later.

Seven

[dx100uk]

ok good idea then.

don't overstress on this, you did a silly youthful thing you though would be funny...that's all.

dx

[Seven77]

I'm going to cry when I see your kind words. dx.

Do you have any other suggestion about the begging letter?

Can I provide more information on that day?

After the staff stop me, I said that I tapped my oyster card in the departing station , but it didn't work. to avoid incorrect fare, I follow my girlfriend. I also ask the staff to tell TfL about this. This statement is just because I wanna avoid fine at that moment. Now I really want that they could fine me, instead of going to court.

[dx100uk]

stop over thinking all this...

let HB finish her advice for the letter. no rush.

a i keep saying, for a silly youthful action that you now very obviously know was wrong and a mistake to carry out, i doubt you'll get anything more than a warning letter.

you need to read those like threads already here that resulted in one.

dx

[Seven77]

Yes, dx. I should let my life back to normal, stop overthinking and wait HB for her advice. I read a lot of threads and they are indeed very useful.

[honeybee13]

I think your first sentence after To Whom it May Concern and TfL's reference should be something like 'I am replying to your letter of (date).'

I would start the current first line 'I thank TfL', rather than just 'Thank' which isn't really English.

As long as they have the correct last name for you, I wouldn't worry about explaining the difference in first names, it makes the letter quite long and that paragraph sounds a bit like a lecture.

EDIT: In your last paragraph, remove the bit about a fine. Only a court can fine you.

We recommend that your letter shouldn't cover more than one side of A4 because whoever reads it will lose interest. How long is your reply once you take out the paragraph about your name?

HB

[Seven77]

Thank you HB.

These are very useful suggestions and I modify my letter according to your advice.

After removing the paragraph of explaining name, it is approximately 1 page (font size is 10.5). I just bought a season ticket right now and top up 80 pounds to show that I wil not evade fare again.

Could you please give me some suggestions about the attachment?

Should I merge all the documents together?

Do you need to see my attached documents?

The following is the new letter:

To whom it may concern,

 

My TfL case number is XXXXXX.

My Last name is：

First name is：Chinese name (English name)

…… (My information)

I am replying to your letter of 25/03/2024.

I thank TfL for giving me the opportunity to explain my wrong and stupid actions. I have realized that my inexcusable actions were wrong, and I am deeply remorseful. I earnestly apologise for my wrong actions. After continuously self-criticizing my wrong actions these days, I can’t go to sleep and repent every day. I promise that it was my first time of fare evasion and it will never happen again. I beg to pay all unpaid fare and any resultant admin fees immediately, if it is possible.

I understand that everyone use TfL service has responsibility to buy valid tickets every time. Without the tickets, TfL cannot operate normally and can’t provide service to the society. So I indeed feel very guilty about my offence.

I feel very guilty, and I know that I can’t blame anyone but myself. I feel that my depression and anxiety (please see the document and the medicine I’m using) are becoming very serious. I constantly trembling, crying, and at times struggling to breathe. The criminal record may result in my worse health condition.

In addition, I’m now a PhD student at XXX University, and I was a class teacher at last year (Please see the document). I really love this job and love to teach a lot of lovely students. I have reached a verbal agreement to continue to be a class teacher this year, and I desire to be a teacher in university after I graduate. I dream of spreading knowledge and contribute to UK society.

Specially, I really hope that I could still talk to those lovely students. I just start my second year of my PhD programme, I do love my research, and desire to continue research after I graduate. A criminal conviction will no longer allow me to be a teacher in the future and I can’t continue my loved research anymore. I desire to make contribution to our society via using my research. Every time I come up with this, I’m extremely heartbroken.

I don’t have any history of criminality in the past, and I promise I will never crime in the future. I evaded fare because I was with my girlfriend, I just felt that follow her and evade fare was fun. I have paid price for my youthful ignorance. Now I deeply regret my offence and understand its significant negative impact on society. I have bought a season ticket and top up 80 pounds in my oyster card (please see the document) which could allow me to use in the future. Fare evasion will never happen again to me. 

I know that I did wrong things and I desire an opportunity to make amends. I offer to immediately pay all unpaid fare and any resultant admin fees to beg you to consider an Out of Court Settlement. I think a prosecution would have an unfair and disproportionate impact on my health and my incoming job as a teacher. I hope that I could receive some mercy. I sincerely apologise again. I hope that I’ve explained myself clearly and provided sufficient evidence, if you need anything further from me to help you reach your decision please let me know. Thank you again. 

 

Yours Faithfully,

My name

[honeybee13]

We don't need to see your attachments. I'm not sure what you mean about merging them. Will you be sending everything by email?

Apologies, I just noticed that in your last paragraph you mention the unfair and disproportionate effect on you. I would take out 'unfair' because you've broken the rules, after all.

HB

[Seven77]

Thank you, HB.

I plan to send three attached documents by email:

1. My 2 contracts as class teacher (Teaching Assistant) at last year and the email that my department ask me whether I want to continue to be class teacher this September.

2. My translated medicine record and the photo of one of the medicine I'm currently using.

3. The receipt of buying season ticket and top up money today.

I'm wondering whether I should merge the 3 documents into 1 document or just keep 3 documents?

Thanks a lot!

[Seven77]

Can anyone help me further. If the letter is OK, then I plan to send it to TfL as the due date is closing

[jk2054]

I’ll have a look over it in a couple of mins to see if theres anything to add but it looks ok

[Seven77]

Hi, jk2054. Thanks a lot for your help.

[jk2054]

I've looked at this briefly but I've noticed american spellings. It's a minor thing but I'd maybe change those to UK as TFL may think it has been generated by AI if it uses american spelling

[Seven77]

I appreciate your help JK2054. Oh, yes, I indeed use AI to profreading it as English is not my first language. Could you please point out where I used American spellings? I'm super grateful!

[jk2054]

I've cleaned up the english below and made it better english so the TFL people will have a better time reading it.

 

If you want me to edit your main draft with these changes let me know and I can but it may take me a few hours as I'm doing a WX at the moment.

 

 

"I was a class teacher at last year" makes no englishs ense. Do you mean you were a teacher of the class last year?

 

change " contribute to UK society." to contributing to UK society

change "via using my research" to "via my research" OR "I desire to make contribution to our society by using my research" (take out via)

change "I can’t continue my loved research anymore" to "I won't be able to continue xxx"

change "I will never crime in the future" to "I will ensure that I do not repeat my actions again, and will ensure that I always have a valid ticket for travel" (or words to that effect)

change ", I just felt that follow her and evade fare was fun." to "I just felt that following her and evading paying my fare would be fun" 

Change " and top up 80 pounds in my oyster card" to "and topped up my oyster card with a balance of £80"

Change which could allow me to use in the future. Fare evasion will never happen again to me. " to "which will ensure that I have the correct ticket for travel in the future meaning that I will not fare evade ever again"

Change "to beg you to consider an Out of Court Settlement." to "I  would please ask that you would please provide me a single opportunity to  settle all outstanding sums owed outside of court without the need for legal proceedings which would have a deterimental impact on my teaching career, on the knowledge that I have an unblemished record up until now and have taken actions to ensure that I will have a valid ticket for future travel to ensure that these events never repeat themselves"

Change "think a prosecution would have an unfair and disproportionate impact on my health and my incoming job as a teacher" to "I know that a prosectuon would have a deterimental impact on my health and my career prospects as a teacher"

I would REMOVE "I hope that I could receive some mercy"

change " if you need anything further from me to help you reach your decision please let me know to "If you need anything further from me to help you please let me know"

Change "Thank you again" to "Thank you once again for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions and I hope that you will be able to allow me to settle this matter outside of court on the knowledge that this has never happened before, and will never happen again, and that I have taken steps to ensure this"

Edited March 31 by jk2054