GTR Notice of Intent to Prosecute

[Hannahxs]

Hi, I got a intent to prosecute letter in the mail a few days ago because, I was travelling from East Croydon to Cambridge, but I bought a ticket from East Croydon to Norwood Junction, and Cambridge North to Cambridge, to make it cheaper, which I have done before and the train company can see it because they scanned my e ticket.

The ID I gave the ticket inspector doesn’t have the address I live at on it because my parents moved house, and the ticket inspector said he can’t send the letter to my uni. So when I send the letter to them should I add my uni or my parents new address to it?


I’ve drafted a response, and was hoping if anyone could please read over it


Reference:

Dear Prosecution’s Department,

I am writing in response to the letter I received on the 09th February 2026.

I sincerely apologise for not paying the full train fare. I have reflected upon my actions, and I completely accept that this was wrong and I take responsibility for my actions. I now understand how unfair this is to others, who have a valid train ticket, and for the train company.

This has been an important lesson for me, and I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be grateful if you would be willing to consider resolving this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to promptly pay the outstanding fare and administrative costs incurred.


Kind regards,

 

[z444z]

Your draft is good and I have no suggested changes! I would provide them with both addresses, make it clear that your preference is the uni address but if they cannot use that then your parents can be used. Make it clear also that you no longer have access to the address they may have from the ID presented while stopped.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi, I got a intent to prosecute letter in the mail a few days ago because, I was travelling from East Croydon to Cambridge, but I bought a ticket from East Croydon to Norwood Junction, and Cambridge North to Cambridge, to make it cheaper, which I have done before and the train company can see it because they scanned my e ticket.

The ID I gave the ticket inspector doesn’t have the address I live at on it because my parents moved house, and the ticket inspector said he can’t send the letter to my uni. So when I send the letter to them should I add my uni or my parents new address to it?


I’ve drafted a response, and was hoping if anyone could please read over it


Reference:

Dear Prosecution’s Department,

I am writing in response to the letter I received on the 09th February 2026.

I sincerely apologise for not paying the full train fare. I have reflected upon my actions, and I completely accept that this was wrong and I take responsibility for my actions. I now understand how unfair this is to others, who have a valid train ticket, and for the train company.

This has been an important lesson for me, and I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be grateful if you would be willing to consider resolving this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to promptly pay the outstanding fare and administrative costs incurred.


Kind regards,

You need to clearly state your change of address details as it’s vital you get all correspondence from them or otherwise a risk of things automatically escalating to court if letters get missed or lost.

 

[tatitiliti]

Hi, I got a intent to prosecute letter in the mail a few days ago because, I was travelling from East Croydon to Cambridge, but I bought a ticket from East Croydon to Norwood Junction, and Cambridge North to Cambridge, to make it cheaper, which I have done before and the train company can see it because they scanned my e ticket.

The ID I gave the ticket inspector doesn’t have the address I live at on it because my parents moved house, and the ticket inspector said he can’t send the letter to my uni. So when I send the letter to them should I add my uni or my parents new address to it?


I’ve drafted a response, and was hoping if anyone could please read over it


Reference:

Dear Prosecution’s Department,

I am writing in response to the letter I received on the 09th February 2026.

I sincerely apologise for not paying the full train fare. I have reflected upon my actions, and I completely accept that this was wrong and I take responsibility for my actions. I now understand how unfair this is to others, who have a valid train ticket, and for the train company.

This has been an important lesson for me, and I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be grateful if you would be willing to consider resolving this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to promptly pay the outstanding fare and administrative costs incurred.


Kind regards,

Draft is good but, as others have said above, make sure you have confirmation that the preferred correspondence address is on their record.

Where was your ticket checked?

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi, I got a intent to prosecute letter in the mail a few days ago because, I was travelling from East Croydon to Cambridge, but I bought a ticket from East Croydon to Norwood Junction, and Cambridge North to Cambridge, to make it cheaper, which I have done before and the train company can see it because they scanned my e ticket.

The ID I gave the ticket inspector doesn’t have the address I live at on it because my parents moved house, and the ticket inspector said he can’t send the letter to my uni. So when I send the letter to them should I add my uni or my parents new address to it?


I’ve drafted a response, and was hoping if anyone could please read over it


Reference:

Dear Prosecution’s Department,

I am writing in response to the letter I received on the 09th February 2026.

I sincerely apologise for not paying the full train fare. I have reflected upon my actions, and I completely accept that this was wrong and I take responsibility for my actions. I now understand how unfair this is to others, who have a valid train ticket, and for the train company.

This has been an important lesson for me, and I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be grateful if you would be willing to consider resolving this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to promptly pay the outstanding fare and administrative costs incurred.


Kind regards,

I would suggest adding in something like the following ref the address probably at the start of the letter

"Please note when I was questioned about this matter my address was xxxxxxx (insert the address you gave).
However, I have now moved address to: xxxx (insert your parents new address - so they have an address where you can be confident to safely receive post)
Please send all correspondence to my new address.
If it is convenient I can also be contacted by e-mail on: xxxx"

Then you need to alert your parents to watch out for post because when the railway respond to you, you will need to act on it quickly - ie hopefully they will offer you an out of court settlement, which is likely, but if it is not paid in the time given (usually 14 days from the date on their reply I think) then it will just get automatically escalated into the 'commence prosecution' pile - which it is very important you avoid because it becomes much more difficult to sort out, their costs increase - so they will pass those on to you etc etc

Separately probably handy to get some ID relating to your new address - eg update to your driving licence or provisional driving licence etc, if you have one.

 

[masaaasa]

Hi, I got a intent to prosecute letter in the mail a few days ago because, I was travelling from East Croydon to Cambridge, but I bought a ticket from East Croydon to Norwood Junction, and Cambridge North to Cambridge, to make it cheaper, which I have done before and the train company can see it because they scanned my e ticket.

The ID I gave the ticket inspector doesn’t have the address I live at on it because my parents moved house, and the ticket inspector said he can’t send the letter to my uni. So when I send the letter to them should I add my uni or my parents new address to it?


I’ve drafted a response, and was hoping if anyone could please read over it


Reference:

Dear Prosecution’s Department,

I am writing in response to the letter I received on the 09th February 2026.

I sincerely apologise for not paying the full train fare. I have reflected upon my actions, and I completely accept that this was wrong and I take responsibility for my actions. I now understand how unfair this is to others, who have a valid train ticket, and for the train company.

This has been an important lesson for me, and I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be grateful if you would be willing to consider resolving this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to promptly pay the outstanding fare and administrative costs incurred.


Kind regards,

When was this for ? I’m asking so I know approx how long it takes as I’m still waiting on my letter from when I got caught in November

 

[z444z]

When was this for ? I’m asking so I know approx how long it takes as I’m still waiting on my letter from when I got caught in November

The OP may or may not reply but I’d probably expect to hear from GTR by the end of the month based on timelines of other cases

 

[WesternLancer]

When was this for ? I’m asking so I know approx how long it takes as I’m still waiting on my letter from when I got caught in November

See post 39 here to give you an idea.

Intent to prosecute - No valid railcard

Instead of sending a photo, I will then just mention the railcard number, validity, and issuance date on the letter, is that better? Sounds good.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[fandroid]

GTR have recently been sending out SJP notices, close to the 6 month limit, apparently without previously contacting the passenger. The OP should be mentally prepared for this to happen and to come back to this forum straight away for help if it does. Part of that preparation would be to ensure that any mail is read immediately.

 

[Hannahxs]

Draft is good but, as others have said above, make sure you have confirmation that the preferred correspondence address is on their record.

Where was your ticket checked?

Cambridge

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2026 ==

When was this for ? I’m asking so I know approx how long it takes as I’m still waiting on my letter from when I got caught in November

End of October 25, and I got the letter in February

 

[Hannahxs]

Update:

I got an out of court settlement of £89.60.

 

[tonycockram]

A good result! Well done. Obviously ensure you pay it and keep the receipt for at least a year! And buy the right tickets going forward!!!

 

[z444z]

A good result! Well done. Obviously ensure you pay it and keep the receipt for at least a year!

6+ years in case of any threat of civil action would be ideal!