Prosecution response advice

[26477]

Hi forum,
I was issued with a notice of intention to prosecute after my details were taken by a revenue prosection inspector at the station the letter informs me of there intentions for GTR to take the case to magistrates court and the offence is stated that I entered the train for the purpose of travelling on the railway and upon inspection did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel. ( ticket was present but purchased after journey).
I offerened to pay the fine and gave my details but it seems they have escelated it to prosecution, likely because I did not want to answer further questions. I have seen people give some good advice for how to handle these situations and was hoping someone could help me with what I have drafted up.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 May 2023 ==

Dear recipient,
I would like to start of by saying that I am sorry for the events that took place. As stated, the events that took place were correct I did admit this at the time and was cooperative with giving my personal details and offered to pay the fine. I was wrong to try and purchase a ticket after the Journey and I have no excuse for my actions. I have learned from this incident and have no intentions of doing this again.
I do not want to settle this with court, I have learned my lesson and understand the wider affects of fare evasion on the rail industry. I am keen to come to a resolution that avoids any further prosecution entirely.
I understand this process has been a waste of time and resources for both the reporting inspector and the GTR administration team and I extend my apologies to them. I would like to pay the outstanding fare and GTRs administrative costs for dealing with the matter if possible.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 May 2023 ==

@Hadders Hi ive read quite a few of your responses and have followed this template is there any way you could proof read it and advise me if I need to enthesise, add or remove anything. I have tried to keep it as short as possible as I saw you stating that anyone replying should not put a sob story as theyve seen it all before, however, as this is my first offence I thought it would be worth noting that

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi forum,
I was issued with a notice of intention to prosecute after my details were taken by a revenue prosection inspector at the station the letter informs me of there intentions for GTR to take the case to magistrates court and the offence is stated that I entered the train for the purpose of travelling on the railway and upon inspection did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel. ( ticket was present but purchased after journey).
I offerened to pay the fine and gave my details but it seems they have escelated it to prosecution, likely because I did not want to answer further questions. I have seen people give some good advice for how to handle these situations and was hoping someone could help me with what I have drafted up.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 May 2023 ==

Dear recipient,
I would like to start of by saying that I am sorry for the events that took place. As stated, the events that took place were correct I did admit this at the time and was cooperative with giving my personal details and offered to pay the fine. I was wrong to try and purchase a ticket after the Journey and I have no excuse for my actions. I have learned from this incident and have no intentions of doing this again.
I do not want to settle this with court, I have learned my lesson and understand the wider affects of fare evasion on the rail industry. I am keen to come to a resolution that avoids any further prosecution entirely.
I understand this process has been a waste of time and resources for both the reporting inspector and the GTR administration team and I extend my apologies to them. I would like to pay the outstanding fare and GTRs administrative costs for dealing with the matter if possible.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 May 2023 ==

@Hadders Hi ive read quite a few of your responses and have followed this template is there any way you could proof read it and advise me if I need to enthesise, add or remove anything. I have tried to keep it as short as possible as I saw you stating that anyone replying should not put a sob story as theyve seen it all before, however, as this is my first offence I thought it would be worth noting that

Have you done anything that would prevent this happening again in future? - eg bought a season ticket or a railcard that you can use to legitimatly reduce your costs of travel. If so mention that, if you have not bought one but it would be worth you doing so maybe buy one so that you can say you have done so (if it is GTR I imagine you could buy a Network Card if one of the other Railcards does not match your entitlement).

 

[Hadders]

We really need to know more information about what happened.

Where were you travelling from and to?
What ticket did you hold?
Do you have a valid railcard?
Who took your details. What did they say?
Was this o the train or at the statuion?

Can you upload a copy of the letter you've been sent with personal details redacted. This will enable us to offer the best advice.

 

[26477]

-I was travelling within London
-I held a ticket purchased at the end of gym journey
-I do have a valid rail card
-this happened at the station when exiting
-the inspector was a revenue protection inspector
-had a short discussion which I provided my details, said I grabbed a ticket upon exit and did not want to answer any more questions about where I was going or how often I do the journey etc, I asked if I could pay a fine he responded that it will get sent to the post asked for further questions or I could get prosecuted I said I don’t want to answer further questions as I’m in a rush and left, my logic was I didn’t want to talk myself into further trouble.
-in short that’s about all the details I can give you.

 

[Hadders]

I'm still finding this a bit tricky to understand, and want to clarify exactly what happened. It looks to me as though:

- You boarded a train without purchasing a ticket. Where did you start your journey? Did it have a ticket machine? Was it working? Does the station have ticket barriers and if so how did you get through them? Why did you board a train without buying a ticket?
- At your destination your purchased a ticket. Where did you purchase this from? Did you only purchase it when you saw a ticket inspector checking tickets?
- Have you done this before? If so if you purchase tickets online then your ticket purchasing history will be available for the train company to see a pattern of behaviour
- You declined to answer some of the ticket inspectors questions

GTR are normally one of the more pragmatic train companies when it comes to settling out of court as long as you engage with the process. I would recommend mentioning the following points in your reply to their letter:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

I think your first draft in the opening post needs a bit of adjustment. For example I would not mention that the whole process has been a waste of time - it is GTR's and the inspectors job to make sure people pay the correct fare so I don't think I would refer to it as a waste of time.

 

[26477]

I boarded a Train without a ticket came off the train and purchase a ticket when I saw inspectors.

There is no barrier on either side of the station (both within London).

Why I done this was for a free journey when I was in a rush, I have no excuse.

only purchased this time online as saw inspectors waiting at exit, usually for transport I would typically tap in not purchase online.

Is this enough clarity ?
Also I will not mention my specific stations for privacy reasons. Hope you can understand that and I’m not too sure how that will help any more or less with advice.

 

[Hadders]

I boarded a Train without a ticket came off the train and purchase a ticket when I saw inspectors.

There is no barrier on either side of the station (both within London).

Why I done this was for a free journey when I was in a rush, I have no excuse.

only purchased this time online as saw inspectors waiting at exit, usually for transport I would typically tap in not purchase online.

Is this enough clarity ?
Also I will not mention my specific stations for privacy reasons. Hope you can understand that and I’m not too sure how that will help any more or less with advice.

Thanks for confirming. In that case I would reply mentioning the suggestions I made in my previous post.

The reason we ask for as much information as possible is because while legally you must purchase a ticket before boarding a train if there are no ticket issuing facilities at the station where you start your journey, or there are ticketing issuing facilities but they do not accept your chosen method pf payment, then you may board the train and pay at the first opportunity. This might be onboard, at an interchange station or at your destination. If we know the stations involved then it is likely that there are forum members that will have local knowledge of the situation at a particular station.

If there were no ticketing issuing facilities at your starting station (unlikely with a station in London) then this might change things.

 

[26477]

Thanks for confirming. In that case I would reply mentioning the suggestions I made in my previous post.

The reason we ask for as much information as possible is because while legally you must purchase a ticket before boarding a train if there are no ticket issuing facilities at the station where you start your journey, or there are ticketing issuing facilities but they do not accept your chosen method pf payment, then you may board the train and pay at the first opportunity. This might be onboard, at an interchange station or at your destination. If we know the stations involved then it is likely that there are forum members that will have local knowledge of the situation at a particular station.

If there were no ticketing issuing facilities at your starting station (unlikely with a station in London) then this might change things.

Ok that makes a lot of sense, thank you for the help honestly, I’ll let you know how everything goes when I get a reply.
Last question do you think I should hand write this on the back or type up a reply and attach it to the form that I’m sending back ?

 

[spag23]

Last question do you think I should hand write this on the back or type up a reply and attach it to the form that I’m sending back ?

Typing it would make the Company's life easier (and perhaps better inclined?), and makes any follow-up easier for you to edit. Just make sure you put all the case details on the document, if it's on a separate sheet. And refer to it on the main form.

 

[26477]

Hello guys I would appreciate some feedback if possible as I want to send this off tomorrow.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your letter. I am writing to express my sincerest apologies for my actions on XYZ-2023 at XYZ-Station. I was rushing for the train and ran to the platform without tapping on, I attempted to purchase an online ticket when the journey was completed as they were valid for all times. The inspector explained that this was not allowed as the journey is completed and I accepted that. I cooperated with the inspector at the time and gave my personal details, and I offered to pay the fine.

I have sincere regret for my behaviour and ask for your leniency in the matter. I am genuinely sorry for the impact that my actions have had on the rail industry, I understand the severity of my actions and I am committed to ensuring that this never happens again, if I do not have time to tap in in the future I will accept that I have not properly prepared to board the train and get the next available train.

I would like to avoid any further legal action in this matter, and I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs incurred by Govia Thameslink Railway for dealing with this issue. I hope that this gesture demonstrates my commitment to resolving this matter amicably and avoiding any further prosecution.

Once again, I extend my sincerest apologies to the reporting inspector and the Govia Thameslink Railway administration team for any inconvenience or distress that my actions may have caused. I hope that we can come to a resolution that is acceptable to all parties involved.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 May 2023 ==

@6Gman I have seen that you have edited other letters previously, is there any chance that you could have a quick scan of mine whenever you are free just to see if this is acceptable please.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hello guys I would appreciate some feedback if possible as I want to send this off tomorrow.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your letter. I am writing to express my sincerest apologies for my actions on XYZ-2023 at XYZ-Station. I was rushing for the train and ran to the platform without tapping on, I attempted to purchase an online ticket when the journey was completed as they were valid for all times. The inspector explained that this was not allowed as the journey is completed and I accepted that. I cooperated with the inspector at the time and gave my personal details, and I offered to pay the fine.

I have sincere regret for my behaviour and ask for your leniency in the matter. I am genuinely sorry for the impact that my actions have had on the rail industry, I understand the severity of my actions and I am committed to ensuring that this never happens again, if I do not have time to tap in in the future I will accept that I have not properly prepared to board the train and get the next available train.

I would like to avoid any further legal action in this matter, and I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs incurred by Govia Thameslink Railway for dealing with this issue. I hope that this gesture demonstrates my commitment to resolving this matter amicably and avoiding any further prosecution.

Once again, I extend my sincerest apologies to the reporting inspector and the Govia Thameslink Railway administration team for any inconvenience or distress that my actions may have caused. I hope that we can come to a resolution that is acceptable to all parties involved.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 May 2023 ==

@6Gman I have seen that you have edited other letters previously, is there any chance that you could have a quick scan of mine whenever you are free just to see if this is acceptable please.

looking pretty good. I'd make the very final few words a repeat of your 'ask' ie add on along lines of 'I would therefore be very grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle the matter without court action being necessary' or some such.
ie you end up by asking them the outcome you would like.

 

[26477]

looking pretty good. I'd make the very final few words a repeat of your 'ask' ie add on along lines of 'I would therefore be very grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle the matter without court action being necessary' or some such.
ie you end up by asking them the outcome you would like.

Thank you for your help

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 May 2023 ==

Just wanted to let you guys know that all went well, they were happy with the response and settled with a £60 out of court settlement.

Thank you everyone who helped, I appreciate all the advice that was given.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for your help

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 May 2023 ==

Just wanted to let you guys know that all went well, they were happy with the response and settled with a £60 out of court settlement.

Thank you everyone who helped, I appreciate all the advice that was given.

Thanks for update - that sounds like a sum at the lower end of what gets offered so probably a good result.