enrichedmelk
New Member
**UPDATE**
So after doing some digging, I found the details of the expired railcard incident explained below (and checked my bank) - and I didn’t pay the fine, it was a parking ticket I was thinking of.
I typed the reference into Northern Rail and it’s still giving me the option to pay (£105) - is this valid?
Now I’m certain this is the incident they they are referring to, it still doesn’t explain the mix up with the locations as this journey was Stalybridge to Manchester Piccadilly (but may be the reason for the price discrepancy?)
Or why this is the first letter I have received since my appeal (explaining I did not realise the expiry date was a few days earlier and bought a new card the same day) - for further context the only letter I received was the original fine which I appealed via email, and the last correspondence I received regarding the matter was on May 15th, stating:
“Thank you for your email. This matter has been assessed and a fixed penalty letter was sent to you on 9 May.
This fixed penalty stands and payment must be made to prevent this matter from proceeding.”
Original Post:
Hello, as the title suggests I have just received a court summons - more specifically a ‘new court date’ see attached. I am shocked as this is the first I am hearing of the matter, I have had no previous correspondence.
The incident on the letter is dated April 18th, so I went to check my Trainline app to see if/what tickets I bought that day. The app shows that day I bought a ticket from Manchester Victoria to Manchester Oxford Road (rail card price shown in attachment), where the letter claims I travelled from Manchester Victoria to Manchester Piccadilly ‘with intent to avoid payment of £5.10’ - but I have no recollection of this happening at all (I travel to and from Manchester multiple times a week)
*for context the difference between these stations is literally 1 stop, 4mins. the direct train route being: Victoria > Oxford Road > Piccadilly*
The specific ticket I bought requires a change at Salford Cresent, so there’s a possibility I got on the wrong connection - but again, whilst this was 6 months ago, I have no recollection of this happening and I’m certain I would if I’d been stopped for having an incorrect ticket or ‘avoiding payment’ - so is it possible to be fined without an in person exchange first?
What are my options? Could there have been a mix up? I worry that I can’t say for certain and I don’t know how I would even go about proving I did not take that journey - other than showing the ticket I bought; does the court have to prove I did take the journey they claim? If I was stopped by an inspector or ticket clerk I am sure I would remember this.
The only similar experience I’ve had was travelling (mindlessly) with an expired railcard, and I was stopped at the ticket barrier - details taken - fined and paid immediately upon receiving the (£100) fine. I don’t know if this would be in my favour with regards to not having received any previous correspondence regarding this matter, as I would have done the same again and paid right away if I’d have known.
Worried to death as I’ve never been to court for anything before (let alone a £5 ticket) - maybe a silly question but is it too late to offer to pay?
Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!!! Thankyou
So after doing some digging, I found the details of the expired railcard incident explained below (and checked my bank) - and I didn’t pay the fine, it was a parking ticket I was thinking of.
I typed the reference into Northern Rail and it’s still giving me the option to pay (£105) - is this valid?
Now I’m certain this is the incident they they are referring to, it still doesn’t explain the mix up with the locations as this journey was Stalybridge to Manchester Piccadilly (but may be the reason for the price discrepancy?)
Or why this is the first letter I have received since my appeal (explaining I did not realise the expiry date was a few days earlier and bought a new card the same day) - for further context the only letter I received was the original fine which I appealed via email, and the last correspondence I received regarding the matter was on May 15th, stating:
“Thank you for your email. This matter has been assessed and a fixed penalty letter was sent to you on 9 May.
This fixed penalty stands and payment must be made to prevent this matter from proceeding.”
Original Post:
Hello, as the title suggests I have just received a court summons - more specifically a ‘new court date’ see attached. I am shocked as this is the first I am hearing of the matter, I have had no previous correspondence.
The incident on the letter is dated April 18th, so I went to check my Trainline app to see if/what tickets I bought that day. The app shows that day I bought a ticket from Manchester Victoria to Manchester Oxford Road (rail card price shown in attachment), where the letter claims I travelled from Manchester Victoria to Manchester Piccadilly ‘with intent to avoid payment of £5.10’ - but I have no recollection of this happening at all (I travel to and from Manchester multiple times a week)
*for context the difference between these stations is literally 1 stop, 4mins. the direct train route being: Victoria > Oxford Road > Piccadilly*
The specific ticket I bought requires a change at Salford Cresent, so there’s a possibility I got on the wrong connection - but again, whilst this was 6 months ago, I have no recollection of this happening and I’m certain I would if I’d been stopped for having an incorrect ticket or ‘avoiding payment’ - so is it possible to be fined without an in person exchange first?
What are my options? Could there have been a mix up? I worry that I can’t say for certain and I don’t know how I would even go about proving I did not take that journey - other than showing the ticket I bought; does the court have to prove I did take the journey they claim? If I was stopped by an inspector or ticket clerk I am sure I would remember this.
The only similar experience I’ve had was travelling (mindlessly) with an expired railcard, and I was stopped at the ticket barrier - details taken - fined and paid immediately upon receiving the (£100) fine. I don’t know if this would be in my favour with regards to not having received any previous correspondence regarding this matter, as I would have done the same again and paid right away if I’d have known.
Worried to death as I’ve never been to court for anything before (let alone a £5 ticket) - maybe a silly question but is it too late to offer to pay?
Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!!! Thankyou
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