alchemy4496
Member
Last week a friend and I ran for the DLR train...the driver ushered us along...and we sped up and boarded the train. In the excitement we failed to tap our payment cards.
On boarding the train two revenue protection officers, who had been with the driver, approached us. My heart sank as I realised I was in trouble. We were only travelling one stop so had no option of getting off and tapping.
We argued strongly with the officers that it was an honest mistake and one we felt they could vouch for having *we thought) seen us running. They didnt budge and set out the penalty of £50 rising to £100 if not paid in 21 days. We continued to argue, it was somewhat heated but realising I was getting no where I agreed to pay. I first paid her fee (basically she has pre-settled visa status and I didn't want her to have any ramifications from this incident). Having had longer to think I decided at that moment I would consider appealing my own fine and asked the officer to confirm I had 21 days to pay. He restated this, and the fact it would rise to £100 if not and I agreed I would resolve later (implied in the 21 days).
I was then asked for my address which I provided. I was expecting then to receive in the post some details of the fine, and on the appeals process. Instead I received the verification letter that is well known on this forum...threatening legal proceedings. I hadn't expected this at all, and many answers on this forum say that it's too late for a penalty notice, and Im heading for court.
They issued my friend with a receipt for her payment, but reviewing this again I think one should have been issued for me as well...because that's the notice not the letter I assumed would arrive.
The Officer made no reference to failing to pay on the spot leading to a conviction, and the circumstances of my friend are identical to mine...other than we chose to settle the penalty immediately.
My priority now is to avoid any criminal conviction that might snowball into professional issues.
I dont know how to respond to the letter. The officer suggested I was going down a very different route to the one I appear to be on. At the moment I'm proposing to ask whether the wrong letter has been issued based on what id understood from the officer. And not address whether I accept the fine, or provide any circumstances. Because ultimately im blown away to have received it.
At this point I'd take the end of the stress and pay the penalty, even if I think its all a bit unfair under the circumstances. But I do fear that option is closed inadvertently.
On boarding the train two revenue protection officers, who had been with the driver, approached us. My heart sank as I realised I was in trouble. We were only travelling one stop so had no option of getting off and tapping.
We argued strongly with the officers that it was an honest mistake and one we felt they could vouch for having *we thought) seen us running. They didnt budge and set out the penalty of £50 rising to £100 if not paid in 21 days. We continued to argue, it was somewhat heated but realising I was getting no where I agreed to pay. I first paid her fee (basically she has pre-settled visa status and I didn't want her to have any ramifications from this incident). Having had longer to think I decided at that moment I would consider appealing my own fine and asked the officer to confirm I had 21 days to pay. He restated this, and the fact it would rise to £100 if not and I agreed I would resolve later (implied in the 21 days).
I was then asked for my address which I provided. I was expecting then to receive in the post some details of the fine, and on the appeals process. Instead I received the verification letter that is well known on this forum...threatening legal proceedings. I hadn't expected this at all, and many answers on this forum say that it's too late for a penalty notice, and Im heading for court.
They issued my friend with a receipt for her payment, but reviewing this again I think one should have been issued for me as well...because that's the notice not the letter I assumed would arrive.
The Officer made no reference to failing to pay on the spot leading to a conviction, and the circumstances of my friend are identical to mine...other than we chose to settle the penalty immediately.
My priority now is to avoid any criminal conviction that might snowball into professional issues.
I dont know how to respond to the letter. The officer suggested I was going down a very different route to the one I appear to be on. At the moment I'm proposing to ask whether the wrong letter has been issued based on what id understood from the officer. And not address whether I accept the fine, or provide any circumstances. Because ultimately im blown away to have received it.
At this point I'd take the end of the stress and pay the penalty, even if I think its all a bit unfair under the circumstances. But I do fear that option is closed inadvertently.
