fare evasion multiple times

[najaB]

I think the point that jax4154 is making is that no-one ever receives the maximum penalty nor has he seen anyone sent to prison for a railway ticketing offence.

Oh, I know that well. But there's a difference between saying large fines or custodial sentences are rare (true) and "if it was a serious offence then that would be poor advice but it's a ticket".

 

[AlterEgo]

I think the point that jax4154 is making is that no-one ever receives the maximum penalty nor has he seen anyone sent to prison for a railway ticketing offence.

That is also my experience in 15 years in the Magistrate's Court.

Fines are always calculated on income, and for most offences, the maximum fine is academic. Prison would only come into play after all non-custodial disposals had been tried. You would be more likely to end up in prison for non-payment of fines than as a sentencing option.

najaB was careful to frame his contribution by saying "potentially", "up to", and "up to".

It is incorrect for someone to respond saying "Yep they tell you that but please, when have you ever heard of that happening". It does happen. All the time. At no time did anyone mention that people were routinely or even often given the maximum sentence.

 

[miami]

Can anyone point to any evidence of anyone in the last 20 years being sent to jail specifically for a ticketing offence?

 

[najaB]

Can anyone point to any evidence of anyone in the last 20 years being sent to jail specifically for a ticketing offence?

Unlikely ≠ Impossible.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I'm not aware of any custodial sentence for a railway fare evasion offence in the last 20 years.

Although proceedings in the Magistrates Courts are not recorded and/or published in any comprehensive and readily searchable form, committals are well recorded.

 

[cjmillsnun]

There is nothing in the OP that shows where the offence(s) took place or who the TOC was so I can't see a big problem in this post.

Those would be the full details we would normally ask for.
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This is true. However, if there is obvious proof that you are innocent why would you not point it out?

I certainly would. There is no need to be obstructive when you know you are innocent and can prove it. It saves unnecessary investigation that could be used to find people who do deliberately evade their fate. Like the OP for example, whom I have little sympathy for.
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because you have no way of knowing that it proves innocence. even if it proves innocence, you do not know if the person interviewing you will believe it.

"Your ticket is not valid sir"

Yet you hold an NRE itinary showing it is.

That would be conclusive proof

If they don't believe it, that is down to them. Saying nothing is not always the best option.