Gtr witness statement

[masaaasa]

I’ve been caught before not paying for my ticket and nothing was investigated this was in novemeber and got given a fine to pay
Today I got caught on the train using a 16-17 saver railway card instead of the one I should be using but it’s just a genuine mistake I have adhd so I get confused and I didn’t know.
What will they do now would it be a hefty fine. Looking at my account it’s only been like 5 trips using that 16-17 railway card but it’s been an accident tho but yeah what will happen

 

[Swedenorer]

Calm down.

Take a deep breath.

Then...

...tell us where you were caught, your journey, what card you should have been using, and the details of the other trips you mention.

Then we might be able to answer your questions.

 

[masaaasa]

I was caught in hassocks station on the train I was getting the train from Brighton to London station i have used the 16-17 railcard on a few journeys like 4/5 by accident I have also been caught before not having a ticket and they don’t investigate my account but back then I didn’t use trainline. I have literally always payed my tickets but by accident I used the 16-17 railcard instead of the 16-25

Will they 100% investigate my account and take me to court especially due to me having been caught not buying a ticket before.
I have adhd and autism as well so that’s why I got confused

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Sep 2026 ==

I was caught in hassocks station on the train I was getting the train from Brighton to London station i have used the 16-17 railcard on a few journeys like 4/5 by accident I have also been caught before not having a ticket and they don’t investigate my account but back then I didn’t use trainline. I have literally always payed my tickets but by accident I used the 16-17 railcard instead of the 16-25

Will they 100% investigate my account and take me to court especially due to me having been caught not buying a ticket before.
I have adhd and autism as well so that’s why I got confused

Calm down.

Take a deep breath.

Then...

...tell us where you were caught, your journey, what card you should have been using, and the details of the other trips you mention.

Then we might be able to answer your questions.

Can you reply please I am so anxious

 

[6Gman]

I think the railway authorities might take some convincing that you "accidently" used the wrong railcard.

Then did it again.

And again.

But the good news is that if you engage with them, co-operate and are honest they are likely (despite the previous incident) to offer an out of court settlement.

For the moment all you can do is wait for them to contact you then come back here for advice.

 

[masaaasa]

I think the railway authorities might take some convincing that you "accidently" used the wrong railcard.

Then did it again.

And again.

But the good news is that if you engage with them, co-operate and are honest they are likely (despite the previous incident) to offer an out of court settlement.

For the moment all you can do is wait for them to contact you then come back here for advice.

Out of 10 how likely is it to be an out of court settlement

 

[6Gman]

Out of 10 how likely is it to be an out of court settlement

It's not that simple.

But experience suggests a good likelihood of a settlement.

But whether we say 6, 7, 8 or 9 makes no difference.

It will be what it is - wait for them to get in touch.

 

[masaaasa]

I used a 16-17 railcard 5-6 tjmes how much do you reckon the fine will be

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I used a 16-17 railcard 5-6 tjmes how much do you reckon the fine will be

If the railway are prepared to settle out of court then they normally want the full single train fares for all the journeys you made, plus an admin fee of maybe £150.

 

[WesternLancer]

Out of 10 how likely is it to be an out of court settlement

Very unlikely to go to court if you follow the advice on this forum and come here for help at each stage of the process.

For now you need to wait until they write to you which could take some time eg 6 to 8 weeks.

They won’t be fining you they will be seeking the money you owe for correct fares plus an admin fee of maybe around £100 if they agree to settle out of court which they usually do if you assure them this won’t happen again.

They may or may not search your past purchases to look for other incorrect tickets but you have no way of knowing if they will until they ask you about it.

Do you actually have a 16-25 railcard already?

What happened on the previous occasion you were stopped? Did you get a Penalty Fare? Was that for the same issue ie using the wrong Railcard discount?

 

[Skimpot flyer]

You must stop accidentally using a railcard you don’t possess, of course, and not make things worse

 

[AlterEgo]

Please just buy the correct ticket and stop hiding behind ADHD and autism being excuses for your dishonesty. You are an adult and must take responsibility. As this is the same train company involved, with child fares, again, they may take a dimmer view. It's hard to say what will happen for sure because most people who get caught don't go on and lapse back into fare evasion. So we don't get many cases here like yours. Wait for contact and then come back for advice. And once again, pay the proper fare.

 

[masaaasa]

Please just buy the correct ticket and stop hiding behind ADHD and autism being excuses for your dishonesty. You are an adult and must take responsibility. As this is the same train company involved, with child fares, again, they may take a dimmer view. It's hard to say what will happen for sure because most people who get caught don't go on and lapse back into fare evasion. So we don't get many cases here like yours. Wait for contact and then come back for advice. And once again, pay the proper fare.

No I have never used a child ticket before like I haven’t been caught I used to buy it when short faring but now ive stoped and genuinely I accidently because I’m always in a rush used a 16-17 railway card and I got an email today from trainline and they basically warned that I’ve been using it and need to stop but yeah

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==

it is my second time being caught the first time they didn’t investigate does that mean I will get prosecuted this time I genuinely have really bad adhd and because of my inattentive I didn’t realise I was using 16 -17 railcard but I accept my mistake idk what to do

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==

Please just buy the correct ticket and stop hiding behind ADHD and autism being excuses for your dishonesty. You are an adult and must take responsibility. As this is the same train company involved, with child fares, again, they may take a dimmer view. It's hard to say what will happen for sure because most people who get caught don't go on and lapse back into fare evasion. So we don't get many cases here like yours. Wait for contact and then come back for advice. And once again, pay the proper fare.

Can you reply to me please

 

[WesternLancer]

No I have never used a child ticket before like I haven’t been caught I used to buy it when short faring but now ive stoped and genuinely I accidently because I’m always in a rush used a 16-17 railway card and I got an email today from trainline and they basically warned that I’ve been using it and need to stop but yeah

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==

it is my second time being caught the first time they didn’t investigate does that mean I will get prosecuted this time I genuinely have really bad adhd and because of my inattentive I didn’t realise I was using 16 -17 railcard but I accept my mistake idk what to do

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==


Can you reply to me please

The basic reply that you need to wait to hear from the railway company is the bottom line answer at this stage.

If you can answer the questions listed in post 1 here and put those answers in a list on this thread then that will help people give you an idea of what is likely the happen

Please read before posting in Disputes & Prosecutions

Guidance for those asking for advice: Please bear in mind the following, when asking for advice in this section: We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example: The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey The stations* where you changed...

www.railforums.co.uk

ie as many of these questions as are relevant or that you can answer:

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  • The stations where you actually started & finished your journey
  • The stations where you changed trains (if applicable);
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held;
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing;
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
  • Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post.
• We need to know what outcome(s) you would consider satisfactory

 

[masaaasa]

Ok

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==

So I was going to London Farringdon from Brighton station and in Hayward heath there was an inspector and he asked for my ticket I showed him the ticket but I took my time showing him so he gets excited thinking I didn’t have a ticket but I did. Showed him the ticket and he asked to see my railcard. Unfortunately it was a 16-17 railcard without me realising when he asked me for it I again took my time trying to make him excited that I didn’t have one but I did but I accidentally used a 16-17 railcard and I checked my app and realised that I have used it 4/5 /6 times before and when I tried to tell him it was a genuine mistake he didn’t believe me and I was like omg yeah I’ve used it a few times before but I had not have realised it due to me having severe adhd and I am inattentive cuz of it I am not using it as an excuse and I do accept my mistake.
However I have been caught before but they don’t investigate my account and was fined not as much money but I am so so so worried I’ll get prosecuted and go to court what do u guys think is the chances of me being prosecuted is it likely I’ll be going court or get an out of court settlement or even them not checking my account. They scanned my barcode too

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==

Please can someone reply

 

[WesternLancer]

Ok

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==

So I was going to London Farringdon from Brighton station and in Hayward heath there was an inspector and he asked for my ticket I showed him the ticket but I took my time showing him so he gets excited thinking I didn’t have a ticket but I did. Showed him the ticket and he asked to see my railcard. Unfortunately it was a 16-17 railcard without me realising when he asked me for it I again took my time trying to make him excited that I didn’t have one but I did but I accidentally used a 16-17 railcard and I checked my app and realised that I have used it 4/5 /6 times before and when I tried to tell him it was a genuine mistake he didn’t believe me and I was like omg yeah I’ve used it a few times before but I had not have realised it due to me having severe adhd and I am inattentive cuz of it I am not using it as an excuse and I do accept my mistake.
However I have been caught before but they don’t investigate my account and was fined not as much money but I am so so so worried I’ll get prosecuted and go to court what do u guys think is the chances of me being prosecuted is it likely I’ll be going court or get an out of court settlement or even them not checking my account. They scanned my barcode too

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2026 ==

Please can someone reply

This is very unlikely to go to court if you co operate when they write to you and get advice from here.

It might be some months before they contact you.

There is nothing you can do for now until you receive a letter or email from the railway company.

When you do receive anything come back here for specific advice on how to reply.

Do not respond to them until you have had that advice.

If you can’t be sure about buying the correct ticket then I would advise you to get your tickets from staff at the ticket office at Brighton. They will make sure you are sold the correct ticket before you travel.