Sheffster123
Member
- Joined
- 10 Dec 2012
- Messages
- 7
In December 2012 I was stopped by revenue protection staff at Wakefield station en route to Leeds from Sheffield Station and a statement was taken under caution for failing to provide a valid ticket.
The facts are as follows.
I boarded a train at Sheffield train station which is a manned station. I did not have time to buy my ticket at the station, as I was in a rush to meet a friend. Sheffield train station has no barriers, and having travelled previously to Leeds once some months ago, it was my understanding that it was possible to purchase a ticket on any train.
I boarded a XC train and took a seat in one of the carriages. A man came and sat next to me and was using his laptop. When the ticket inspector passed through the train I tried to attract his attention but didn't manage to. I did not want to disturb the gentleman next to me, so I asked my friend (who was boarding a train at Wakefield and would have been getting on the train i was traveling on to join me) about what I should do. He said I should find the ticket inspector or, if I was worried, the best thing to do would be just to get off at Wakefield and buy my ticket from Sheffield to Leeds there. The train was about to pull into Wakefield, i got up and looked down the next carraige but could not see the inspector and so chose to disembark the train and sort out my ticketless travel there.
I looked on the platform for a member of staff or ticketing facilities. I then crossed over the bridge and walked down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs before I could approach the information desk I was stopped by an inspector who asked me to present her with a ticket. feeling scared and worried about not having bought a ticket on the train and unsure as to what to do having never been in the position of traveling without a ticket, I panicked and felt my debit card in my pocket and so told the ticket inspector that I had bought a ticket but that I had left it in the machine at sheffield. I intended to tell her that I had realised my mistake and was getting off the train to get another ticket.
The ticket inspector asked me if i had paid by card, i produced my debit card, a coworker began to use his phone to check and I admitted that I had not bought a ticket, I was taken to one side by the inspector and asked to confirm my name and ID. I had no ID but gave my full details. At this point I was joined by my friend.
The ticket inspector asked me if I knew travelling without a ticket was a crime, i told her i was aware, that i had boarded the train without a ticket as i was late thinking i could buy one on the train as i had always done so before, and that i had made every effort to find the inspector, and that under the advice of my friend had gotten off the train to purchase a ticket at wakefield. had the inspector not stopped me i would have proceeded either to information and told them i needed to get a ticket, or to the ticket office to buy one from sheffield to leeds. Were i not able to now get a ticket from sheffield to leeds (being in wakefield) i would have asked for a ticket from wakefield to leeds but spoken to officials at leeds when i arrived to ensure my ticket was upgraded to sheffield-leeds as i knew i had to pay the full fare. I told her had i intended to fare evade i would not have even bothered to get off the train in wakefield to sort out my mistake and that i had lied to her simply because i was so panicked about the situation.
She issued me with a single ticket for my journey and told me the courts would be in touch.
I have received a letter from transport investigations limited stating that the report filed indicates that sufficient evidence does exist to warrant a prosecution and that the file is currently with their prosecutions team who are deciding whether to issue a summons. These may include whether any charge should allege an offence against railway byelaws (2005) or regulation of railways act 1889.
I have never committed a crime before and have committed a very niave and stupid mistake which could threaten my future career. Would anyone be able to advise me on my next steps w/e response to this letter. I have a reply drafted if anyone would be able to look over it, i would be very grateful.
Thank You
I have received a letter from Transport Investigations Limited asking for
The facts are as follows.
I boarded a train at Sheffield train station which is a manned station. I did not have time to buy my ticket at the station, as I was in a rush to meet a friend. Sheffield train station has no barriers, and having travelled previously to Leeds once some months ago, it was my understanding that it was possible to purchase a ticket on any train.
I boarded a XC train and took a seat in one of the carriages. A man came and sat next to me and was using his laptop. When the ticket inspector passed through the train I tried to attract his attention but didn't manage to. I did not want to disturb the gentleman next to me, so I asked my friend (who was boarding a train at Wakefield and would have been getting on the train i was traveling on to join me) about what I should do. He said I should find the ticket inspector or, if I was worried, the best thing to do would be just to get off at Wakefield and buy my ticket from Sheffield to Leeds there. The train was about to pull into Wakefield, i got up and looked down the next carraige but could not see the inspector and so chose to disembark the train and sort out my ticketless travel there.
I looked on the platform for a member of staff or ticketing facilities. I then crossed over the bridge and walked down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs before I could approach the information desk I was stopped by an inspector who asked me to present her with a ticket. feeling scared and worried about not having bought a ticket on the train and unsure as to what to do having never been in the position of traveling without a ticket, I panicked and felt my debit card in my pocket and so told the ticket inspector that I had bought a ticket but that I had left it in the machine at sheffield. I intended to tell her that I had realised my mistake and was getting off the train to get another ticket.
The ticket inspector asked me if i had paid by card, i produced my debit card, a coworker began to use his phone to check and I admitted that I had not bought a ticket, I was taken to one side by the inspector and asked to confirm my name and ID. I had no ID but gave my full details. At this point I was joined by my friend.
The ticket inspector asked me if I knew travelling without a ticket was a crime, i told her i was aware, that i had boarded the train without a ticket as i was late thinking i could buy one on the train as i had always done so before, and that i had made every effort to find the inspector, and that under the advice of my friend had gotten off the train to purchase a ticket at wakefield. had the inspector not stopped me i would have proceeded either to information and told them i needed to get a ticket, or to the ticket office to buy one from sheffield to leeds. Were i not able to now get a ticket from sheffield to leeds (being in wakefield) i would have asked for a ticket from wakefield to leeds but spoken to officials at leeds when i arrived to ensure my ticket was upgraded to sheffield-leeds as i knew i had to pay the full fare. I told her had i intended to fare evade i would not have even bothered to get off the train in wakefield to sort out my mistake and that i had lied to her simply because i was so panicked about the situation.
She issued me with a single ticket for my journey and told me the courts would be in touch.
I have received a letter from transport investigations limited stating that the report filed indicates that sufficient evidence does exist to warrant a prosecution and that the file is currently with their prosecutions team who are deciding whether to issue a summons. These may include whether any charge should allege an offence against railway byelaws (2005) or regulation of railways act 1889.
I have never committed a crime before and have committed a very niave and stupid mistake which could threaten my future career. Would anyone be able to advise me on my next steps w/e response to this letter. I have a reply drafted if anyone would be able to look over it, i would be very grateful.
Thank You
I have received a letter from Transport Investigations Limited asking for