Caught without a ticket - stupid mistake!

[sound117]

Hello,

I have been visiting these forums for the last couple of days to see what I have gotten myself into but I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me on my individual case. Sorry it's really long but I want to try and get all the details in.

This Sunday I made a journey from Mossley hill to Manchester Oxford Road then to Manchester Piccadilly. As I didn't want to miss my train I intended to pay onboard but there was no conductor to purchase a ticket from (before now I didn't realise it was not acceptable to do this). When I got off my train I went directly onto my next train and completed the short journey to Piccadilly at which point I panicked and realised what I had just done. I purchased a ticket at Piccadilly from Oxford Road but then got stopped before I got to the guards and he told me I could not possibly have got the train from Oxford Road.

When I thought I couldn't be any more stupid I forgot the station name from panicking and said I travelled from a different station which was one of the first I remembered passing (I was unable to produce a ticket so I offered to pay). He then took my name, address and a statement from me which was all honest apart from the the station name.

I understand that I have no excuse for what I have done, it started out as an honest mistake which I have just made far worse for myself by getting worked up :/ I am 18 and have just begun to catch trains regularly and have a railcard, I have never once done anything like this so I am now really worried. He then told me that in the next few days he is sending a report and I will receive a letter which if I don't reply to will automatically result in a court summons.

I really appreciate anyone who has read the whole thing, I am genuinely apologetic for my actions but I understand people in lesser situations have been to court and faced with fines and criminal records so I'm trying not to be too hopeful Was just wanting any advice and information people would be willing to give on what I can do next to not make my situation any worse than I already have thank you.

 

[maniacmartin]

• If, at the time, you thought it was acceptable to board without purchasing a ticket, then why did you panic when arriving at Manchester Piccadilly?
• Do you recall the name of the company of the person who interviewed you?

I personally find your story hard to believe that you genuinely forgot where you boarded not once, but twice. I'm sure to the Train Operating Company it will come across as you trying your luck at naming stations which would be closer and thus have a lower fare. This makes it easier for the TOC to argue that there was intent to avoid the fare.

The two most often pieces of legislation which railway companies prosecute under are:

• Railway Byelaws - strict liability, so they don't have to prove intent to evade the fare, just the fact that you didn't buy and hold a valid ticket
• Regulation of Railways Act - this requires proof that you intended to avoid the correct fare, and carries harsher financial penalties, plus a criminal record.

When the letter arrives asking for your version of the events, it may specify which act they are considering prosecuting you under. Once the letter arrives, someone more experienced than I may be willing to assist proofreading your reply, in which which you could detail how sorry you are, and that you are willing to settle any admin costs incurred by the company in the hope that they do not proceed to court.

 

[sound117]

Thank you for your response.

What I meant is, due to my ignorance I didn't think that it was unnacceptable to purchase a ticket on the train or upon arriving at the destination. Although, I stupidly rushed to the second train at which point I had done neither for my first journey hence why I panicked.

I think it was Northern Rail.

I understand it is hard to believe. I forgot the once, initially I was being asked about buying a ticket and coming from Oxford Road which I had (I'm not implying I'm out the wrong). I contacted someone who had taken me to the station to find out the name of it. Was just wondering if I could find the guy who interviewed me to see if there was any way I can tell the truth about the station at an earlier opportunity now that I know the name providing he hasn't sent off the report?

 

[Wath Yard]

Do you really think stalking someone when they are doing their job is a good idea? What if he takes exception to being confronted several days later? You could just be componding your original 'mistake'. Besides, he won't be making the decision as to whether you are prosecuted or not, he will just submit a report on the incident.

 

[sound117]

Your right, I'd be making it worse I think but I wanted to say it sooner rather than later... Thanks for your input on this though.

Was just wondering how long the letter may take to arrive, is it possible this may exceed a month? I will be moving home for christmas and don't want the letter to arrive while I'm away and miss any possible opportunity to write back.

 

[Crossover]

Welcome to the forum sound117

I agree with the above - don't try and find the guy you spoke to at Piccadilly - he will have most likely have submitted his report and will no longer have anything to do with the matter, so it is just a waiting game.

I believe the letters can take a while to come through from advice I have seen elsewhere on RUK.

As asked by maniacmartin, do you know the company who questioned you?

 

[yorkie]

...but I understand people in lesser situations have been to court and faced with fines and criminal records...

True, but some people have successfully been able to negotiate an out of court settlement in a similar situation to yours. I don't want to get your hopes up too much though, as Northern are not as willing to settle as, say, FCC for comparison. But your young age and a nice letter apologising and offering to pay the fare due and compensation to Northern might possibly result in a settlement being reached.

 

[sound117]

Thank you Crossover, pretty sure he said the letter would be from the Northern Rail.

Yorkie, I really appreciate your comment. I am currently seeking work as I have recently been made redundant so I'm worried I won't be able to get work as a consequence of this. I'm preparing myself for the worst but it's nice knowing I may have a chance to settle this out of court despite my foolishness in the moment.

 

[6Gman]

OP : "there was no conductor" (between Mossley Hill & Oxford Road) ....

Do you mean:

1. There was no conductor?
2. No conductor came through the train?
3. I walked through the train looking for a conductor but couldn't find one?

 

[sound117]

No conductor came through the train, although I now know that it was my responsibility to go looking through the train to find one.

 

[bb21]

No conductor came through the train, although I now know that it was my responsibility to go looking through the train to find one.

It is not your responsibility to go and look for one. Indeed doing so on certain lines would make you very unpopular with other punters.

Your mistake is purchasing a short ticket, then saying the wrong station name again.

 

[Sidious]

No conductor came through the train, although I now know that it was my responsibility to go looking through the train to find one.

Actually your responsibility was buying your ticket form the station before you boarded in the first place!

 

[yorkie]

It's the whole sequence of events. It's a case of digging a deeper and deeper hole. The only way out of it is to apologise and settle out of court in my opinion.

 

[6Gman]

It is not your responsibility to go and look for one. Indeed doing so on certain lines would make you very unpopular with other punters.

Your mistake is purchasing a short ticket, then saying the wrong station name again.

Correct, but the point I was making was that approaching the Conductor provides evidence against intent to avoid payment.

 

[snail]

Correct, but the point I was making was that approaching the Conductor provides evidence against intent to avoid payment.

Only if you get the ticket though? If you were told to pay at the destination would you make a note of their name? Would they remember you several weeks later when asked to verify what had happened?