Caught without a ticket, what happens now?

[ludaka717]

I was caught without a ticket, when exiting the barriers on the train station, however I lied that I had thrown it away. The revenue officer took my name and address and told me that they will send me a letter and I had to provide a bank statement for the payment, meanwhile a friend of mine bought a ticket, so I had a transaction I could show to them, it was just a couple of minutes later than my travel. My question is can I provide this bank statement as a prove that I had paid for the ticket, moreover the revenue officer didn't write the time of the travel? Can I be taken to the court?

 

[ian959]

If the details on the bank statement as to who the account holder is match your own details provided to the RPI officer then, in theory, yes you can use it as proof of purchase of a ticket. However...

Proof of purchase of a ticket does not necessarily sway anything much in your favour. You were unable to provide for inspection a valid ticket for the journey you made when requested. That is a bye law strict liability offence so it probably is not wise to let the matter go to court, especially if you intend to lie to the magistrate.

Yes, you can be taken to court.

Whether it gets that far depends upon the TOC concerned.

 

[najaB]

Can I be taken to the court?

Yes. This is the most important thing that you need to understand: (rightly or wrongly) ticketing offences are criminal matters.

I was caught without a ticket, when exiting the barriers on the train station, however I lied that I had thrown it away.

Not smart, but I guess you weren't thinking it through at the time.

...meanwhile a friend of mine bought a ticket, so I had a transaction I could show to them, it was just a couple of minutes later than my travel. My question is can I provide this bank statement as a prove that I had paid for the ticket...

If I read this correctly you are asking for us to advise you that it's okay to lie in a potential criminal matter? Well, it is up to yourself if you want to potentially dig a deeper hole for yourself, but I don't think anyone here will say that it is a smart thing to do. Would you lie if you were guilty of any other criminal offence?

 

[DaleCooper]

It also sounds as if the OP intends to involve a friend in the deceit which just piles wrong upon wrong.

 

[reb0118]

I had to provide a bank statement for the payment, meanwhile a friend of mine bought a ticket, so I had a transaction I could show to them, it was just a couple of minutes later than my travel. My question is can I provide this bank statement as a prove [proof?]that I had paid for the ticket?.....

This sounds like a plan. It is for you to weigh up the risks involved, see below...........

Can I be taken to the court?

Aye, probably for fraud.

 

[andy90870]

As a revenue officer I will strongly advise that you do not lie and use your friends bank statement. You will be moving yourself from a ticket irregularity to potential criminal fraud.
Whatever you do is your choice but your completely on your own with the decision you make

 

[bb21]

If you want to know whether you will get away with fraud, I am afraid we do not provide any advice other than "Don't do it". You do so at your own risk.