Rail Fare Evasion Investigation - Advice Needed

[vish98]

I was caught at Birmingham new street with incorrect tickets. They looked into my history and have found 52 times I've purchased tickets for fare evasion. I'm really worried they sent an email saying I could be prosecuted. I don't want to get a criminal record and lose my job.

In response I've bought 2 months worth of my rail fare not that I can afford to but to prove I won't do it again. Please see my proposed response below. I'm not sure if this is detailed enough or if it come accross as unsincere.

My Response:

Dear West Midlands Trains Prosecutions Department,

I am writing in response to your email regarding the incident on 15th May 2025.

I want to sincerely apologise for travelling without valid tickeIs. I fully accept that I was in the wrong and take full responsibility for my actions. I understand the seriousness of fare evasion and the importance of paying the correct fare for all journeys.

Since the incident, I took steps to ensure this does not happen again. I purchased tickets in advance to cover my travel for two months, and I am committed to travelling with valid tickets at all times moving forward. Please see attached the tickets for future travel.

I respectfully ask if it would be possible to settle this matter without court proceedings. I really want to rectify the issue and pay any outstanding fares and associated costs. This has been a serious learning experience, and a mistake I will never make again and I deeply regret my actions.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours faithfully,

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Could you show us their email please? Make sure you cover up your name, address and any reference numbers so this stays confidential.

 

[vish98]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Could you show us their email please? Make sure you cover up your name, address and any reference numbers so this stays confidential.

Hi and thank you for the response. I'd really appreciate any advice and guidence on this. Thanks in advance to anyone else who also responds.

Please see the email from WMT below:

We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on the 15th May 2025 when approached by staff carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your valid ticket you offered a ticket that was not valid for the journey you had completed, possibly committing short journey fraud.

You were interviewed under caution.



West Midlands Trains take travel fraud seriously and are committed to prosecuting all cases of fare evasion to the full extent of the law. Travelling on the railway with the intent to avoid paying the full fare is an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, as such, a single offence carries a maximum fine of £1,000 and/or three months’ imprisonment and, a criminal record.



Consideration will be taken as to whether this matter amounts to a much more serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006, in particular ‘Fraud by false representation’.



At this stage we would be grateful if you would provide any evidence to support the claim that none of the above legislation has been contravened to prevent further action being contemplated.



We look forward to hearing from you.

 

[Pushpit]

My Response:

I think that is a good response to WMT.

 

[vish98]

I think that is a good response to WMT.

Hi

Thank you for the response, appreciate it

 

[eley081875]

Did they mention the 52 times in a separate email to you? or have you counted 52 times throughout your own rail history?

 

[vish98]

Did they mention the 52 times in a separate email to you? or have you counted 52 times throughout your own rail history?

Hi,

No it wasn't on an email. I counted 52 tickets from my history plus the inspector who caught me saw the tickets on my trainline app and pretty sure he logged that after he counted them. I suppose if they're going to look back at my travel history they'll see anyway so I figured it's better to be honest in my email about it and I figured the more I try comply the less likely it is to go to court which would be even more costly than the fine and other associated fees for the fare evasion.

 

[Gina182]

Did you pay and settle out of court?

 

[Hadders]

Did you pay and settle out of court?

Please start your own thread is you are in need of assistance and we will be happy to help. We ask that only one case is discussed in each thread to avoid confusion.

 

[vish98]

Did you pay and settle out of court?

Yeah I am I got a bill come through

 

[Gina182]

Yeah I am I got a bill come through

Can I ask how much it was roughly?

 

[maxi998]

Any chance of an update? How much was the fine for the 52 occasions?