.

[CCtv]

Hi All
Im really nervous so i got caught with a Kids ticket at Bristol Temples mead.
I originally lied and said i was 15 because i panicked and was worried about missing my train.
In the End i told the inspector the truth, apologised and offered to pay she didn't take payment. She took my Name, DoB, address and picture of my ticket.
I am really worried about the outcome.She told me ill hear back from them in 2 weeks but i am worried cause idk if ill be at the address i gave in 2 weeks (Uni student). Is there any advice any one can give

 

[L401CJF]

The best advice is to setup a mail redirection through Royal Mail if you do move.

Others will be along shortly to advise better regarding what to expect will happen, but for now ensuring you receive the letter is the most important bit.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

We see lots of cases like this on this forum. The good news is that GWR are generally one of the more pragmatic companies when it comes to this sort of thing but you will need to put in some leg work and it's going to cost.

What happens next is that GWR will write a letter to you saying that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events before deciding how to proceed. The letter will appear quite theatening in tone. The letter typically takes a few weeks to arrive so if you are going to be away then you either need to arrange for someone reliable to be able to access your post and forward it to you or arrange for you post to be redirected to your new address by Royal Mail.

It is important that you engage with and reply to GWR's letter. I suggest including the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

GWR are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) to people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. We cannot guarantee this and the they are within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court should they decide to do so.

An potential aggravating factor in your case is if you have done this before. GWR will be able to search your online purchase history and you will need to be careful how you reply to their letter. You should answer the questions they ask for truthfully but you are not required to incriminate yourself either.

If you are offered a settlement the amount tends to be around £150 plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.

Feel free to post a copy of the letter once it arrives (with personal details redacted) along with your draft reply in this thread and forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.

 

[John R]

I’m not sure Royal Mail redirect is appropriate for the very short term movements in residence which students typically have over holiday periods.

I would be inclined to email GWR, tell them when you will return to that address, and ask that they use email to contact you if you are unsure of your whereabouts in the near future.

 

[Hadders]

I’m not sure Royal Mail redirect is appropriate for the very short term movements in residence which students typically have over holiday periods.

I would be inclined to email GWR, tell them when you will return to that address, and ask that they use email to contact you if you are unsure of your whereabouts in the near future.

Agree about redirecting post during holidays, I'd assumed the OP was permanently moving out.

 

[furlong]

How old are you? If you're 17, will you be 18 within the next 6 months?

 

[CCtv]

Welcome to the forum!

We see lots of cases like this on this forum. The good news is that GWR are generally one of the more pragmatic companies when it comes to this sort of thing but you will need to put in some leg work and it's going to cost.

What happens next is that GWR will write a letter to you saying that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events before deciding how to proceed. The letter will appear quite theatening in tone. The letter typically takes a few weeks to arrive so if you are going to be away then you either need to arrange for someone reliable to be able to access your post and forward it to you or arrange for you post to be redirected to your new address by Royal Mail.

It is important that you engage with and reply to GWR's letter. I suggest including the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

GWR are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) to people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. We cannot guarantee this and the they are within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court should they decide to do so.

An potential aggravating factor in your case is if you have done this before. GWR will be able to search your online purchase history and you will need to be careful how you reply to their letter. You should answer the questions they ask for truthfully but you are not required to incriminate yourself either.

If you are offered a settlement the amount tends to be around £150 plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.

Feel free to post a copy of the letter once it arrives (with personal details redacted) along with your draft reply in this thread and forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.

So i didn't use an account to pay for that ticket but there is one under my name and I've used it to buy tickets for my younger sister (12 years) will that get flagged. Ive only bought like one ticket online that was an adult i usually buy from the station. The inspector also dint ask for my trainline Account so can that really be used.

 

[L401CJF]

I’m not sure Royal Mail redirect is appropriate for the very short term movements in residence which students typically have over holiday periods.

I would be inclined to email GWR, tell them when you will return to that address, and ask that they use email to contact you if you are unsure of your whereabouts in the near future.

Ah I didn't think of it as a temporary half term kind of thing!

 

[CCtv]

Agree about redirecting post during holidays, I'd assumed the OP was permanently moving out.

Im not permanently moving away but im not sure if ill be at my out of term house (the address i gave) when the letter arrives in theory if i should be getting the letter next week thursday.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2024 ==

How old are you? If you're 17, will you be 18 within the next 6 months?

Im 18

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Im not permanently moving away but im not sure if ill be at my out of term house (the address i gave) when the letter arrives in theory if i should be getting the letter next week thursday.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2024 ==


Im 18

A lot of students go to their parents‘ home for the vacations - particularly the short ones. If the OP is doing that, or something where the address they gave will still be occupied, then they can ask whoever will be there to forward the letter to them: that just needs the proper address to be written on the envelope and pop it into a postbox.

And the advice above about emailing GWR is good too.

 

[glasgowniteowl]

So i didn't use an account to pay for that ticket but there is one under my name and I've used it to buy tickets for my younger sister (12 years) will that get flagged. Ive only bought like one ticket online that was an adult i usually buy from the station. The inspector also dint ask for my trainline Account so can that really be used.

The picture of the ticket was that an eticket or a paper ticket? If it was an eticket they can fairly easily get your trainline details that way, they can still get your trainline account from your other details as well though

So it sounds a little bit suspicious that you were caught with a child ticket but that you are worried that the online account may be discovered, because you use that just for child tickets for your sister and you normally by paper tickets, you may have to be prepared to prove this to reduce any amount requested this if they ask for an out of court settlement

 

[John R]

I'd agree that there may be some searching questions regarding use of your Trainline account to purchase tickets for a 12 year old sibling. It will look very suspicious to the investigators that the majority of tickets bought online are child tickets, and moreover why you would be buying tickets for a much younger sibling (not saying there isn't a valid reason, but I would have thought it's fairly unusual to do so if you are not travelling with them).

 

[AlterEgo]

So i didn't use an account to pay for that ticket but there is one under my name and I've used it to buy tickets for my younger sister (12 years) will that get flagged.

So you purchase your own tickets anonymously, but use another account, under your own name, to buy child tickets for your kid sister? Imagine for a moment you are GWR, how likely do you feel that they'll consider that story to be true?

The inspector also dint ask for my trainline Account so can that really be used.

Yes.

 

[CCtv]

The picture of the ticket was that an eticket or a paper ticket? If it was an eticket they can fairly easily get your trainline details that way, they can still get your trainline account from your other details as well though

So it sounds a little bit suspicious that you were caught with a child ticket but that you are worried that the online account may be discovered, because you use that just for child tickets for your sister and you normally by paper tickets, you may have to be prepared to prove this to reduce any amount requested this if they ask for an out of court settlement

So i hadn‘t logged in to my account when i bought my ticket as i was in a rush and didn't log in. I Usually buy from the ticket machine where i live. I have bought tickets online but i don't do it often (i take coaches) so i don't log in everytime. And im worried cause like i‘ve used my account to make 4 purchases 3 of which for my sister so kids tickets. The tickets rend to be last minute things.