Notice of intent for prosecution from GTR

[SillyMe]

Hello I hope you can please help me.

I received the attached letter today, which is a notice of intent to prosecute. It is regarding a fare evasion from 27 June.

Here are the facts:
- I did not purchase a ticket from Hither Green - Horsham. I got on the train at Hither Green.
- After seeing the ticket inspector on the London Bridge - East Croydon leg, I purchased a ticket from London Bridge to Horsham.
- My intent was to purchase a ticket from East Croydon - Horsham.
- The ticket inspector asked me where i got on, and I said London Bridge. He asked me how I got through the barriers, and I said by scanning the ticket. The ticket inspector then said he could see I had only just purchased the ticket, i.e. after the train journey had begun.
- He asked me again where I had gotten on, and I said Hither Green. We then got off the train as it arrived into East Croydon.
- He took some of my details: name, address, what I look like, .
- He asked me why I did it, and I said because of money difficulties. I said I had heard someone say you can only buy the East Croydon - Horsham leg of the journey because there are no barriers at Hither Green. I mentioned I was on my way to my work in Horsham, and that I live in London.


I have not evaded a fare since because it really terrified me to be honest. I do not want to go to court. I am willing to pay a fine. Please help me

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Nov 2025 ==

To add, I did this a few times before on the same route (ie purchase from East Croydon - Horsham) but I did not mention this to the inspector.

 

[Puffing Devil]

The good news is that GTR will normally settle out of court if you engage with them positively. The standing advice on this forum is to draft a reply covering the following:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- That you have learned from the incident and are now aware of the serious consequences of your actions
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offering to pay the outstanding fare and the railway company’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Look through the forum and you'll find many examples of letters that cover the above. Draft your own reply, avoiding AI, and post it here, with identifying details removed.

Other forum members will then be able to help you refine it before sending it to GTR. Don't delay - the clock is ticking and you need to get a reply in before the deadline.

 

[John R]

Bear in mind they are quite likely to review your ticketing account and if they see other tickets that look like short fares then they will build the full cost of those into any settlement they offer you.

Only you know how many “a few times” is, but you may have to pay the Anytime Single fare from London Bridge to Horsham (£31.30) for each journey.

Don’t delete your account though, they will still be able to see the transactions, but you won’t anymore.

 

[SillyMe]

Thank you @Puffing Devil and @John R for your advice. I have reviewed some other posts. I have reviewed my trainline history, and I know how many times I did it. Please see below my draft reply. I hope it is good and thank you in advance.

-----


****case reference****

Dead Fare Evasion Manager,

I write this reply to your letter dated 12 Nov 2025 to detail the events of 27 June and express my sincere and earnest regret.

Due to money concerns, I did not purchase a ticket before boarding the train at Hither Green. After seeing the ticket inspector, I rightfully panicked and bought a ticket from London Bridge to Horsham (I did have a valid 16-25 railcard, but the inspector did not ask me to upload it to your portal so I have not done so in the provided link). We got off the train at East Crodydon, where he took my details. He was very nice - he could see I was quite scared. I didn't quite realise what impact this can have and how unfair it is to other passengers until speaking with the ticket inspector, and I feel immense guilt and shame.

I have thought about my shortcoming many times since the event; I will never do this again. I am very keen to please settle this issue out of court, and am completely willing to pay outstanding fare and any admin charges that you see fit. I hope you will please consider this option in light of how sorry I am.

I eagerly await your response.


Kind regards,
XXX

 

[John R]

Yes, that should be fine. About the right length too and sounds as sincere as I hope it is.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you @Puffing Devil and @John R for your advice. I have reviewed some other posts. I have reviewed my trainline history, and I know how many times I did it. Please see below my draft reply. I hope it is good and thank you in advance.

-----


****case reference****

Dead Fare Evasion Manager,

I write this reply to your letter dated 12 Nov 2025 to detail the events of 27 June and express my sincere and earnest regret.

Due to money concerns, I did not purchase a ticket before boarding the train at Hither Green. After seeing the ticket inspector, I rightfully panicked and bought a ticket from London Bridge to Horsham (I did have a valid 16-25 railcard, but the inspector did not ask me to upload it to your portal so I have not done so in the provided link). We got off the train at East Crodydon, where he took my details. He was very nice - he could see I was quite scared. I didn't quite realise what impact this can have and how unfair it is to other passengers until speaking with the ticket inspector, and I feel immense guilt and shame.

I have thought about my shortcoming many times since the event; I will never do this again. I am very keen to please settle this issue out of court, and am completely willing to pay outstanding fare and any admin charges that you see fit. I hope you will please consider this option in light of how sorry I am.

I eagerly await your response.


Kind regards,
XXX

I think with this company you have to reply hard copy by post - if so send it tracked postage from a post office so you can prove it got there if you need to. Keep copies of everything sent to you and that you have sent in reply