Confused

[Ruislipgirl]

I travelled out of zone by mistake using my Oyster card and was stopped at the ticket barriers when I couldn’t get through. I asked the man if he could help as my ticket didn’t work and he told me I’d travelled out of zone. I told him I didn’t realise I’d done this and offered to pay a penalty fare. He looked at my ID and realised it was my birthday and said not to worry, but to check next time. I thanked him profusely . I went on my way. 2 months later I got an intention to prosecute letter. I wrote offering to pay the penalty and any extra costs. No reply . Then yesterday a court summons. On the letter it gave a false account of the conversation saying the man said it would be reported when he definitely didn’t… I realise I travelled out of zone but don’t know whether to choose to go to court to confront them or just plead guilty. Please can anyone advise?

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Could you show us the correspondence between you and TfL please? Cover up your name, address and any reference numbers so you keep this anonymous.

The experts should be around later.

 

[Haywain]

I travelled out of zone by mistake using my Oyster card and was stopped at the ticket barriers when I couldn’t get through. I asked the man if he could help as my ticket didn’t work and he told me I’d travelled out of zone. I told him I didn’t realise I’d done this and offered to pay a penalty fare. He looked at my ID and realised it was my birthday and said not to worry, but to check next time. I thanked him profusely . I went on my way. 2 months later I got an intention to prosecute letter. I wrote offering to pay the penalty and any extra costs. No reply . Then yesterday a court summons. On the letter it gave a false account of the conversation saying the man said it would be reported when he definitely didn’t… I realise I travelled out of zone but don’t know whether to choose to go to court to confront them or just plead guilty. Please can anyone advise?

You'll need to give us more information so that we can help you. Where were you stopped "out of zone", and who is prosecuting you? If you can post copies of the letter and summons with your personal details obscured that will also help.

 

[AlterEgo]

I travelled out of zone by mistake using my Oyster card and was stopped at the ticket barriers when I couldn’t get through. I asked the man if he could help as my ticket didn’t work and he told me I’d travelled out of zone. I told him I didn’t realise I’d done this and offered to pay a penalty fare. He looked at my ID and realised it was my birthday and said not to worry, but to check next time. I thanked him profusely . I went on my way. 2 months later I got an intention to prosecute letter. I wrote offering to pay the penalty and any extra costs. No reply . Then yesterday a court summons. On the letter it gave a false account of the conversation saying the man said it would be reported when he definitely didn’t… I realise I travelled out of zone but don’t know whether to choose to go to court to confront them

What would you want to go to court for? Do you think you’re innocent of the offence and have a defence or do you want to raise the point they said they’d let you off but then prosecuted you?

That an officer said they’d let would “let you off because it’s your birthday” (or equivalent) but then decided to report you holds no weight as a defence to the offence.