Help! Received letter 4 weeks after the document date.

[Frazzys]

Hi,
This was the first fine I received with Govia Thames link and need some help!

I see attached for reference

I received the document on the 11/07/2025. But the document is dated 18/06 saying I have two weeks to respond. Obviously in a panic I then sent a letter back requesting it to be settled out of court and that I never received any notice or fine up until this point. I even shredded the original item received in the date 18/03 when I committed the offence for a 2 day out of date railcard thinking nothing happened. This is the first contact I have had from them regarding this matter (the original doc on day of offence said it wasn’t a fine and that I had to wait to see if the contacted me. The officer even said they may not contact me)

I obviously sent the letter back on the date in a panic for them to receive it this morning. I only just noticed that the post office sent the letter to the wrong address. I am not sure how someone can mix up an X with and S!

Please can someone help me as I am really stressed and do not want anything to come of this. Last thing I want is to go to court for 1 error on my part and a 2 day out of date railcard.

 

[John R]

Can you please tell us what happened for you to receive this letter, together with what you said in your reply.

To be clear, you haven't received a fine, although the matter is likely to end up costing you some money at the very least. But GTR is normally keen to avoid prosecution so long as you cooperate with them. Hopefully you explained that you had only just received the letter which had been misdirected.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Your opening post is a bit difficult to follow. I think what you saying is:

• On 17th March you were stopped by a ticket inspector at City Thameslink station becuase your railcard was out of date
• You were given a ticket irregularity report but you shredded this
• On 11th July you received a letter from GTR's Prosecutions department dated 18th June threatening prosecution but asking for your version of events befreo they decide how to proceed. The letter was initially sent to the wrong address
• You replied asking if they would offer a out of court settlement

Have I go this correct?

What did you say to GTR when you replied?
Did GTR have the incorrect address or was this just an error made by the postman?

GTR normally offer an out of court settlement in cases like this as long as you co-operate with them, and haven't come to their attention before.

If you've replied to GTR there really isn't anything more you can do at this stage until your hear back from them. When they do post their reply in this thread and we can advise further, if necessary.

 

[Frazzys]

That is correct yes! Apologies for the confusing post, all very stressed and I have relatives asking if I need a lawyer.

It seems like a mistake from the postman twice. Both sending my return letter to the wrong address and receiving the notice from govia 4 weeks later than I should have.

I replied requesting settlement out of court and that I was very stressed and concerned over the situation being escalated because I wasn’t apply to reply with the 2 weeks. I apologised for the situation and was/still wanting to pain a suitable fine for the issue.

I have resent the same document via post and email today.

I think my main concern is do I need to contact someone for legal help?

 

[MotCO]

It is probably too early to think about legal help. Normally minor 'offences', such as a railcard out of date by two days, will be settled out of Court, but you do need to engage with them in a positive way. (Always assuming that this is a first offence, and you are not on their naughty step.)

You will get lots of help and advice on this forum. When you hear back from them, post a copy of their letter (with personal details redacted), and you will be guided through the next steps in the process. Don't send anything back to them before seeking advice from the forum.

 

[Frazzys]

I did have another fine that I paid 30 mins after falling asleep on a train and going past my stop. But hopefully that won’t cause issues.

 

[Hadders]

I wouldn't worry too much about the postal delays, GTR know the post isn't 100% reliable and a few days delay because of the post isn't going to be detrimental.

GTR almost always offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them. My view is you don't need to use a solicitor at this stage, wait and see what GTR say in response to your letter, if this isn't favourable then that would be the time to use a solicitor.

I did have another fine that I paid 30 mins after falling asleep on a train and going past my stop. But hopefully that won’t cause issues.

How long ago was this? Which train company?

 

[Frazzys]

I wouldn't worry too much about the postal delays, GTR know the post isn't 100% reliable and a few days delay because of the post isn't going to be detrimental.

GTR almost always offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them. My view is you don't need to use a solicitor at this stage, wait and see what GTR say in response to your letter, if this isn't favourable then that would be the time to use a solicitor.


How long ago was this? Which train company?

It was for GTR again. It was about 2/3 months after. I paid it on the spot and didn’t cause issues. Was silly of me and doubt I would get stung by it?

 

[Hadders]

It was for GTR again. It was about 2/3 months after. I paid it on the spot and didn’t cause issues. Was silly of me and doubt I would get stung by it?

It would be better if it happened happened but given it's been settled I doubt it'll adversely impact the chances of a settlement.

Let's see what GTR's response to your reply is and go from there.