Fare evasion

[Kobo]

Hello everyone
I am posting seeking for advice as I am getting very anxious by the day.
3 weeks ago I boarded thameslink train and was stopped by the ticket officer to check my travel ticket. I was caught as I got a short distance ticket also used a railcard I do not have. I traveled with a 16-17 railcard discount (I don't have a railcard and I'm not 16).
When questioned I owned up and told them I was on the train for longer distance and I do not have the railcard neither am I within the age range.
I was given a witness receipt and informed I would be contacted by post.
Also, buying short distance tickets and using the 16-17 railcard is a frequent recurrent event.
It’s been 3 weeks and I haven’t gotten any letter from them and this just makes me more anxious by the day.
I have read through the comments here, I'm now aware of the consequences of my actions
I'm very disappointed in myself for causing this pain upon my self as the mental consequences aren't worth it.
Please I need help on what to do.
What do I expect, and how do I respond.
Could the delay in contacting me mean something worse?
Could I get a criminal offence charge for this?
I want to avoid court and I want this to be settled as soon as possible.
I know I did this to myself and deserve the consequences. I really wish I could go back in time and undo it..
Please any help would be appreciated.

 

[Titfield]

You have to be patient and wait for the letter to arrive.

Many of the Train Operating Companies have considerable back logs of cases and it is taking many weeks if not months for letters to arrive. Nothing can be read into the delay for the letter to arrive.

Most Train Operating Companies providing you respond to their letter in an appropriate manner* will, sometimes eventually, offer you an out of court settlement, which once paid means the matter is done and dusted.

You could be prosecuted but this is unlikely unless there are significant aggravating factors including fraud (forgery of tickets or railcards) or assault or abuse of a TOC member of staff.

*search for letters by @Hadders which will give you a good idea how to phrase your response when you receive the letter from the TOC.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Also, buying short distance tickets and using the 16-17 railcard is a frequent recurrent event.

This will likely involve more investigation of your ticket purchase history by the train company. In the meantime, suggest you buy a 16-25 railcard, stop short-faring, and start always paying for the correct fare. Be less stressful and expensive in the long run.

 

[jfollows]

Welcome to the forum and don’t panic, as @Titfield says three weeks is too short.
If you bought your tickets online, then they will research your history and in due course will ask you to pay for previous short fares.

 

[Kobo]

Thank you all for your response.. I really do appreciate it

 

[Kobo]

Hello,
As an update to this, I received letter from thameslink yesterday with intention to prosecute which I have attached. I would greatly appreciate any help with how to reply.
I have gone through similar posts and drafted the below response:


Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
I am writing in response to your letter dated (date), Reference number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is regarding the incident that took place on (date) at (X station).
I want to sincerely apologise to Govia Thameslink Railway for travelling without valid tickets and also for the time and resources that have been spent dealing with this matter.
I fully accept that I was in the wrong and take full responsibility for my actions, which I deeply regret. I understand the seriousness of fare evasion and the importance of paying the correct fare for all journeys.
I have learned a valuable lesson, and I can assure you that this will not happen again. Since this incident, I have ensured that all tickets I purchase are valid for the entire journey I take.

I am appealing to Govia Thameslink Railway, for the opportunity to settle this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay any fees owed and administration costs that you consider appropriate in order to resolve this issue.
This has been a serious learning experience, and I promise to never repeat again.

I genuinely hope you will accept my sincere apology and allow me the chance to make amends through an out-of-court settlement. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request.



1. Please I would appreciate review of this and any correction to be made
2. Should I mention previous short faring in my response as my record will show it anyways if they check
3. The letter says to reply in writing only. Can I type my response or do I have to hand write it


I would appreciate any and every help.
Thank you

 

[MotCO]

May I suggest a few changes:

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
I am writing in response to your letter dated (date), Reference number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is regarding the incident that took place on (date) at (X station).
I want to sincerely apologise to Govia Thameslink Railway for travelling without a valid ticket tickets and also for the time and resources that have been spent dealing with this matter.
I fully accept that I was in the wrong and take full responsibility for my actions, which I deeply regret. I now understand and realise the seriousness of fare evasion and the importance of paying the correct fare for all journeys.
I have learned a valuable lesson, and I can assure you that this will not happen again. Since this incident, I have ensured that all tickets I purchase are valid for the entire journey I take.

I am appealing to Govia Thameslink Railway, for the opportunity to settle this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay any fees owed and administration costs that you consider appropriate in order to resolve this issue.
This has been a serious learning experience, and I promise to never repeat again.

I genuinely hope you will accept my sincere apology and allow me the chance to make amends through an out-of-court settlement. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request.


Otherwise I think it's fine. Others may offer other suggestions.

With regards to your other questions:

1. The general advice is not to incriminate yourself by mentioning anything they do not ask about. The original incident took place in June and they are running out of time if they want to take you to Court. They may therefore have stopped researching your history to get this letter out in time for them to take you to Court if they so wished - however, if you positively engage with them, as you are doing, it is unlikely they will take you to Court. Also, is there a deadline for your response - I couldn't see one? If you can delay your response (but still answer within their deadline), you may get into the position where your offence in June (exact date?) is more than 6 months ago so they are too late to prosecute.

2. Yes, you can type your response - it will probably make it easier for them to read (no offence!). Either type it on the form, or attach a paper, noting on their form that there is an attachment, and on your note include your name and case reference. I assume you need to post it; if so, send it 'Signed for' via a Post Office so you have evidence when they received it.

 

[Kobo]

Hello,
As an update to my previous post of short faring, I received letter from thameslink yesterday with intention to prosecute which I have attached. I would greatly appreciate any help with how to reply.
I have gone through similar posts and drafted the below response:


Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
I am writing in response to your letter dated (date), Reference number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is regarding the incident that took place on (date) at (X station).
I want to sincerely apologise to Govia Thameslink Railway for travelling without valid tickets and also for the time and resources that have been spent dealing with this matter.
I fully accept that I was in the wrong and take full responsibility for my actions, which I deeply regret. I understand the seriousness of fare evasion and the importance of paying the correct fare for all journeys.
I have learned a valuable lesson, and I can assure you that this will not happen again. Since this incident, I have ensured that all tickets I purchase are valid for the entire journey I take.

I am appealing to Govia Thameslink Railway, for the opportunity to settle this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay any fees owed and administration costs that you consider appropriate in order to resolve this issue.
This has been a serious learning experience, and I promise to never repeat again.

I genuinely hope you will accept my sincere apology and allow me the chance to make amends through an out-of-court settlement. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request.



1. Please I would appreciate review of this and any correction to be made
2. Should I mention previous short faring in my response as my record will show it anyways if they check
3. The letter says to reply in writing only. Can I type my response or do I have to hand write it


I would appreciate any and every help.
Thank you

 

[Kobo]

May I suggest a few changes:

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
I am writing in response to your letter dated (date), Reference number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is regarding the incident that took place on (date) at (X station).
I want to sincerely apologise to Govia Thameslink Railway for travelling without a valid ticket tickets and also for the time and resources that have been spent dealing with this matter.
I fully accept that I was in the wrong and take full responsibility for my actions, which I deeply regret. I now understand and realise the seriousness of fare evasion and the importance of paying the correct fare for all journeys.
I have learned a valuable lesson, and I can assure you that this will not happen again. Since this incident, I have ensured that all tickets I purchase are valid for the entire journey I take.

I am appealing to Govia Thameslink Railway, for the opportunity to settle this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay any fees owed and administration costs that you consider appropriate in order to resolve this issue.
This has been a serious learning experience, and I promise to never repeat again.

I genuinely hope you will accept my sincere apology and allow me the chance to make amends through an out-of-court settlement. Thank you for taking the time to consider my request.


Otherwise I think it's fine. Others may offer other suggestions.

With regards to your other questions:

1. The general advice is not to incriminate yourself by mentioning anything they do not ask about. The original incident took place in June and they are running out of time if they want to take you to Court. They may therefore have stopped researching your history to get this letter out in time for them to take you to Court if they so wished - however, if you positively engage with them, as you are doing, it is unlikely they will take you to Court. Also, is there a deadline for your response - I couldn't see one? If you can delay your response (but still answer within their deadline), you may get into the position where your offence in June (exact date?) is more than 6 months ago so they are too late to prosecute.

2. Yes, you can type your response - it will probably make it easier for them to read (no offence!). Either type it on the form, or attach a paper, noting on their form that there is an attachment, and on your note include your name and case reference. I assume you need to post it; if so, send it 'Signed for' via a Post Office so you have evidence when they received it.

Thank you for your help
There is a time deadline of replying in 2 weeks.
I will make the corrections and have it typed.

 

[lillychester]

Have you had any response yet?

 

[AlterEgo]

Have you had any response yet?

Please start your own thread if you need dedicated help.

 

[Kobo]

Good afternoon
Updating my post.
I did send the reply above in response to the intention to prosecute letter.
I have now received a letter in mail today of being charged to court. It’s a ‘Single justice Procedure notice’.
Please what does this mean?
Do I need to get a solicitor?
Would u get a criminal record for this?
I am greatly distressed

 

[z444z]

Good afternoon
Updating my post.
I did send the reply above in response to the intention to prosecute letter.
I have now received a letter in mail today of being charged to court. It’s a ‘Single justice Procedure notice’.
Please what does this mean?
Do I need to get a solicitor?
Would u get a criminal record for this?
I am greatly distressed

You have now been charged with an offence and been given the opportunity to plead guilty without having to attend court.

It is very unusual for GTR to do this where a response has been received to their initial letter. It’s possible they didn’t receive it.

Firstly what is the deadline on the SJPN to return it to the court?

 

[Kobo]

You have now been charged with an offence and been given the opportunity to plead guilty without having to attend court.

It is very unusual for GTR to do this where a response has been received to their initial letter. It’s possible they didn’t receive it.

Firstly what is the deadline on the SJPN to return it to the court?

Deadline is in 21 days. That’s 7th of Jan.
Is there any other way to check if they received my response?
I did send it by post- next day delivery, signed for.
And as per tracking, it was received.

 

[WesternLancer]

Deadline is in 21 days. That’s 7th of Jan.
Is there any other way to check if they received my response?
I did send it by post- next day delivery, signed for.
And as per tracking, it was received.

You can e mail GTR with an urgent mail asking if they considered your previous response and re attach a copy to the email

We can help you with wording and where to e mail the relevant team at GTR.

Do not respond to the court paper work yet if the deadline for the court is not imminent.

 

[z444z]

You can e mail GTR with an urgent mail asking if they considered your previous response and re attach a copy to the email

We can help you with wording and where to e mail the relevant team at GTR.

Do not respond to the court paper work yet if the deadline for the court is not imminent.

It might be worth adding in the email to GTR that the OP hasn’t received any further correspondence since responding to the initial letter, and has just received a SJPN.

As it’s also possible that GTR sent the OP a further communication which required a response but the OP didn’t receive.

 

[Kobo]

I

You can e mail GTR with an urgent mail asking if they considered your previous response and re attach a copy to the email

We can help you with wording and where to e mail the relevant team at GTR.

Do not respond to the court paper work yet if the deadline for the court is not imminent.

i would be very grateful.

I have written a draft below. I would appreciate review and help with wordings
Also the email address to send to.



URGENT REQUEST TO SETTLE OUT OF COURT AND PREVENT COURT ACTION.

Dear Sir / Madam
My REF: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Name and address xxxxxxxxxxx,
I am writing this letter in respect of the incident on xxxxxxx when I was unable to present a valid ticket for my travel.

I have just received a Single Justice Notice from the magistrate court notifying me that that I have been charged for fare evasion.
I am writing urgently to see if the matter can be resolved without court action

I previously received a letter from GTR informing me of a notice of intention to prosecute me and responded immediately apologising for my offence and plea to settle out of court.
I have attached my previous response below.

Once again, I am deeply sorry and promise this action wouldn’t repeat itself.

I would be very grateful if you could consider withdrawing the court action. I am willing to pay any unpaid fares plus your investigation costs in order to reach a settlement out of court.

I would greatly appreciate you considering this request as quickly as possible due to the impending date for return of court papers

Yours faithfully

 

[MotCO]

I

i would be very grateful.

I have written a draft below. I would appreciate review and help with wordings
Also the email address to send to.



URGENT REQUEST TO SETTLE OUT OF COURT AND PREVENT COURT ACTION.

Dear Sir / Madam
My REF: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Name and address xxxxxxxxxxx,
I am writing this letter in respect of the incident on xxxxxxx when I was unable to present a valid ticket for my travel.

I have just received a Single Justice Notice from the magistrate court notifying me that that I have been charged for fare evasion.
I am writing urgently to see if the matter can be resolved without court action

I previously received a letter from GTR informing me of a notice of intention to prosecute me and responded immediately apologising for my offence and plea to settle out of court.
I have attached my previous response below.

Once again, I am deeply sorry and promise this action wouldn’t repeat itself.

I would be very grateful if you could consider withdrawing the court action. I am willing to pay any unpaid fares plus your investigation costs in order to reach a settlement out of court.

I would greatly appreciate you considering this request as quickly as possible due to the impending date for return of court papers

Yours faithfully

I would also reference that you had not received a reply to your initial response, and wonder if an earlier letter response from GTR had gone astray.

 

[Kobo]

I would also reference that you had not received a reply to your initial response, and wonder if an earlier letter response from GTR had gone astray.

Thank you.
I have included this in the draft



URGENT REQUEST TO SETTLE OUT OF COURT AND PREVENT COURT ACTION.

Dear Sir / Madam
My REF: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Name and address xxxxxxxxxxx,
I am writing this letter in respect of the incident on xxxxxxx when I was unable to present a valid ticket for my travel.

I have just received a Single Justice Notice from the magistrate court notifying me that that I have been charged for fare evasion.
I am writing urgently to see if the matter can be resolved without court action

I previously received a letter from GTR informing me of a notice of intention to prosecute me and responded immediately apologising for my offence and plea to settle out of court.
To which I didn’t receive a reply and wonder if the earlier letter had gone astray.
I have attached my previous response below.

Once again, I am deeply sorry and promise this action wouldn’t repeat itself.

I would be very grateful if you could consider withdrawing the court action. I am willing to pay any unpaid fares plus your investigation costs in order to reach a settlement out of court.

I would greatly appreciate you considering this request as quickly as possible due to the impending date for return of court papers

Yours faithfully

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you.
I have included this in the draft



URGENT REQUEST TO SETTLE OUT OF COURT AND PREVENT COURT ACTION.

Dear Sir / Madam
My REF: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Name and address xxxxxxxxxxx,
I am writing this letter in respect of the incident on xxxxxxx when I was unable to present a valid ticket for my travel.

I have just received a Single Justice Notice from the magistrate court notifying me that that I have been charged for fare evasion.
I am writing urgently to see if the matter can be resolved without court action

I previously received a letter from GTR informing me of a notice of intention to prosecute me and responded immediately apologising for my offence and plea to settle out of court.
To which I didn’t receive a reply and wonder if the earlier letter had gone astray.
I have attached my previous response below.

Once again, I am deeply sorry and promise this action wouldn’t repeat itself.

I would be very grateful if you could consider withdrawing the court action. I am willing to pay any unpaid fares plus your investigation costs in order to reach a settlement out of court.

I would greatly appreciate you considering this request as quickly as possible due to the impending date for return of court papers

Yours faithfully

I’ll gave a look later. I think we could shorten this esp if you can enclose / attach what you sent before.

 

[Kobo]

Thank you.
Could you also help with the email address to send to

 

[z444z]

The email address for GTR that @WesternLancer has provided previously is gtr.prosecutions@gtrailway.com. However for best chances at success please do not send anything until it has been looked over and approved by multiple experts here.

EDIT: Another comment on the forum says about this email address “the autoreply suggests they won't read it with any urgency or that it's the right department”. You may need to send it as a letter in the post with fast delivery and marked as urgent.

 

[WesternLancer]

@Kobo - I suspect there is a high probability they lost your reply to their original letter to you even though you sent it tracked - and it has escalated to court action which is why you have got the SJPN - hold off returning the SJPN for now (but do not miss the ultimate deadline stated by the court for the return of those papers) .
The objective now must be to urgently try to ask GTR again for an out of court settlement by getting them to reconsider your original letter which they may have lost...as your draft indeed requests

Things of course not made any easier by the fact this has all come to a head over the Christmas holiday period when their offices will be closed and less staff working.

Suggested minor amends to what you need to send them now if you think worth including these changes as per below:

----------------------------------

e-mail title : URGENT REQUEST TO SETTLE OUT OF COURT AND PREVENT COURT ACTION - case ref xxxxxxx.

Dear Sir / Madam

Your REF: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Name and address xxxxxxxxxxx,

I have just received a Single Justice Notice from the magistrates court notifying me that that I have been charged for fare evasion.

This relates to the incident on xxxxxxx when I was unable to present a valid ticket for my travel. I am writing urgently to see if the matter can be resolved without court action.

However, I did respond to the original letter sent to me by GTR in November. I sent my response via tracked postal delivery. I have attached a copy of that response below for your ease of reference.

I would be grateful if you could tell me if you were able to consider my original request to settle the matter out of court?

Once again, I am deeply sorry for this incident and promise this action wouldn’t repeat itself.

I would be very grateful if you could consider withdrawing the court action. I am willing to pay any unpaid fares plus your investigation costs in order to reach a settlement out of court.

I would greatly appreciate you considering this request as quickly as possible due to the impending date for return of court papers.

Yours faithfully

----------------------------------------------------

then I suggest do the following

a) e-mail this on Friday morning to gtr.prosecutions@gtrailway.co

b) also on Friday print a copy of the e-mail and get to a post office before 12 noon to send it next day delivery (well to get there on Monday) to : Prosecutions Department, Govia Thameslink Railway, Eastside Offices, Kings Cross Railway Station, London N1C 4AX.
Which I assume is the address on the original letter you received

c) keep the curt paperwork safe - in the run up to when you need to return it to the court, check back here for advice - if you have not heard back from GTR by then it maybe that an option is for you to plead not guilty on the SJPN because that means they will set a date for court further in the future - thus buying you more time to wait to hear from GTR.

But concentrate on doing (a) and (b) for now. You can get more advice on (c) when you have got this e-mail and printed version sent off.

I hope this is all clear - please ask if not.

 

[Kobo]

Thank you all..
All above done.
Really worried it’s the festive period with most offices closed.
Hoping for some luck

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you all..
All above done.
Really worried it’s the festive period with most offices closed.
Hoping for some luck

Good stuff.

Probably worth us giving you some advice on option C in my post so you can weigh that up ref the court paperwork

Also the solicitor option if you want to engage one (you may want to seek quotes on Monday or Tuesday before they close for Christmas

And what to expect if it went to court. But you are still some way off.

How important is it to you to avoid court and the criminal record that would come from that? Eg do you plan a career in finance or legal work for example?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Dec 2025 ==

Thank you.
Could you also help with the email address to send to

Just wondered if you’d had any luck with your most recent e mail or letter? Time wise that’s a long shot I expect.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you all..
All above done.
Really worried it’s the festive period with most offices closed.
Hoping for some luck

Have you had any progress? I’m mindful of your court papers deadline (7 Jan?) which you MUST NOT miss. So you would have to send those back to the court on Monday using gauranteed next day delivery to the court I suspect.

You could potentially buy more time to try to get a settlement out of court by opting for the case to be heard in person / pleading not guilty and opting to be heard in person on the court SJPN papers.

However this may seem counter intuitive to plead not guilty as it’s clear from your original post that you deliberately evaded the fare and are thus guilty. However I think you could still change your plea from not guilty to guilty before a date of an actual in person hearing if the matter wasn’t resolved out of court and the case withdrawn by that date.

But I’d welcome the thoughts of other forum experts on court processes about this.

Opting for in person court hearing also affords the chance to seek out the railway’s prosecutor at court early on the day of the hearing and verbally ask them if they will settle the matter and withdraw the case on the day. This is very much the final chance but we have seen this work in the past.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you all..
All above done.
Really worried it’s the festive period with most offices closed.
Hoping for some luck

as a matter of interest did you ever resolve this @Kobo - similar case on the forum so wondered if GTR picked up your urgent requests and if you thus avoided court action in the end?