The actual ticket though, as in the QR/Aztec code, doesn't lie. You'll be found out and, the more you try to hide, the more intent you show, leading to the the rail company digging deeper and looking harder at your overall history.
Yes I was found out that what I’m saying and literally that’s how I got caught. This is a thread about how I got caught . I could’ve done all the photoshopping in the world to the time and it wouldn’t have made the ticket any more actually valid. I have already admitted to them it was a fake ticket and that I edited it.
On conviction following a guilty plea you will be required to pay a fine (see below), plus a victim surcharge (40% of the fine amount), plus the train company's costs (£135 if that's what they're asking) and the unpaid fare. The amount of the fine will be dependent on your earnings, and could be around £440. If you are a low earner you need to complete a declaration of earnings for the court prior to the SJPN hearing.
The court hasn't stated a fine. What has been communicated to you here are only the costs, plus the fare evaded. The magistrates will decide the level of fine on the day. The maximum is £1000 and it is linked to your income. There will also be a surcharge to pay.
Incorrect. The conviction will be spent after one year.
A mortgage lender cannot ask and is not entitled to know about spent convictions - that is, in your case, a year from the date of your conviction.
Well it's lucky for you that you defrauded the railway, which has its own specific "easy, fast track" legislation, yes - most other lines of business may call the police who then turn up and arrest you for fraud.
Thank you.
Thanks for this update - unfortunate that it’s got to this stage, GTR almost always settle but it looks like they take a harder line with altered tickets.
Agreed. The railways having their own legislation works very well for them a lot of the time and means they can prosecute people for things that would be legal or at least impossible/impractical to prosecute for outside of the railway. But in cases like this it has worked in your favour because why would they bother with a much more complicated fraud prosecution when their byelaws are so easy to prosecute under!
I was just thinking this about the NIP letter as I didn’t get any other correspondence until this. Do you think it’s worth emailing them to check if it was ever received? I’ve seen a similar thread where this was tried
There’s nothing to lose. Given the large benefit to you of getting this settled out of court, I might send them a letter via tracked postage as well as emailing. The email is gtr.prosecutions@gtrailway.com
I did not as the only tracked option appeared to be £8! And I am only sending from about 20 miles away so that seemed excessive- clearly not in hindsight! Also though, I have seen on another form of someone in the same situation recently that even having tracked it they’ve decided to prosecute- so seems they may have lost a handful of letter on their end.
You may want to check that with your contract of employment or ask a union rep. You may need to declare convictions to your employer even though you may not work in a 'sensitive' area. Being up front and honest with your employer is much, much better than them finding out from another source and them wondering what else you may have to hide. If you're open with your employer, they will probably take no further action; if they find out before you tell them, the outcome may not be so clear cut.
Luckily for me I am self employed so my ’boss‘ is completely in the loop here ! I appreciate this message anyway for anyone else following this thread, information is always good to share!
Completely agree with this approach in this case, and the 9th sounds sensible.
I’m glad you agree, below is a copy of the drafted letter I am planning on sending tomorrow. Address, email and reference added too.
I think it very much is worth you checking this. Hold off returning the SJPN paperwork for as long as possible whilst you get on to them. Mark it ‘urgent request to settle out of court’ or some such.
Not clear to me what ‘list reversaly’ means. Maybe re phrase.
I am slightly considering the guilty & appear in court option, definitely more than saying not guilty, but will only decide this if GTR doesn’t get back to me before the 9th. I’d rather not have to pay potential court fees but you are right it would give me time.
Surely either way is equally probable? It’s definitely worth mentioning the possibility both ways imo.
Honestly, I am absolutely bricking it about the idea of a criminal record but I’m trying to not worry myself about something I have no control over until at least the 9th. If I start worrying about it now I am the kind of person who spirals and that would do me no good at all.
I think you would pay court fees the same if you do or do not opt to appear in court and plead. Others will correct me if I’m wrong about this and costs could be higher.
Yes just use a clearer wording eg ‘any reply you sent me may have gone missing in the post’
Oh! I just assumed it would cost more money. If this is not the case then this is likely the route I will go to buy myself more time on the matter and possibly speak to the prosecutor in person.
I don’t think it’s a charge made by the courts. I think it’s a charge made by the railway for prosecuting you (cost of doing so). Logic would say that if they need to do that with a prosecutor in court it would cost more but I think it’s just a sausage machine with thousands of cases a year so maybe they just average it out.
I sympathise but you’ll appreciate there’s a reason why they don’t have a set up where people can go and speak to them of course. Each call would be the best part of 30 minutes listening to everyone’s dog ate my homework lame excuse for not buying the ticket they should have bought. Think how many staff they would need and what it would cost at relevant rates of pay.
Points well made.
Get cases off the desk fast before Xmas holidays maybe?
I was thinking that too - or perhaps the usual people who handle it have started an early holiday. Regardless, GTR in the past always seemed to be amenable to out of court settlements if a person had not come to their attention before, was not abusive to their staff or had been forging tickets on a large scale or for other people (and of course engaged with them).
