Govia Thameslink witness statement

[shadowspectre]

Hi

I received recently a witness paper from an officer about fare evasion in East England, he was very angry and I tried to calm him down, I was devastated the ticket I had is for a completely different destination than the train, and I told him about my intended station then he asked me to show him the history of my train app and I refused, I was embarrassed, ashamed and shocked.


This happened before and I was stopped for it, he suspected that I did it also other times but not suspected, I'm terrified.

I don't want any criminal record, I regret my actions, I'm terrified, I feel like I'm losing my life I don't know what to do, he gave me a paper and told me I have no sympathy for you.


I'm very sorry and regret any time I did this, but I can't help but wonder the consequences, I'm terrified I never hurt anyone, I'll pay anything just please I don't want criminal record, I'm trembling even writing this.

Please anyone advise.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi

I received recently a witness paper from an officer about fare evasion in East England, he was very angry and I tried to calm him down, I was devastated the ticket I had is for a completely different destination than the train, and I told him about my intended station then he asked me to show him the history of my train app and I refused, I was embarrassed, ashamed and shocked.


This happened before and I was stopped for it, he suspected that I did it also other times but not suspected, I'm terrified.

I don't want any criminal record, I regret my actions, I'm terrified, I feel like I'm losing my life I don't know what to do, he gave me a paper and told me I have no sympathy for you.


I'm very sorry and regret any time I did this, but I can't help but wonder the consequences, I'm terrified I never hurt anyone, I'll pay anything just please I don't want criminal record, I'm trembling even writing this.

Please anyone advise.

Welcome. You will get help here on how to deal with this to help you obtain the best outcome you can.

To get the advice you need it would help if you could answer each of the questions listed, where applicable, in the pinned post at the top of this part of the forum.

Detailing things like where this happened, what your journey was, what ticket you held etc

 

[shadowspectre]

Hi,

The ticket was booked from A to B.

However when I was asked about where I'm going, I said C.

He asked me my name, he put some invalid personal info than the one I wrote, except the the address.

He got very angry and said it's because people like you the tickets are expensive I apologised to him I said I was only able to afford one way when asked, then he asked me to show him my previous tickets he said you probably did more of that.

I was embarrassed and apologised, he said that means nothing, he told me he'll report me for investigation to see my tickets and gave me the paper.....


He took qr code of the ticket and also my rail card, the railcard selected was valid and I had it.


Now I feel like my life is over because of this, is it?

 

[z444z]

This happened before and I was stopped for it, he suspected that I did it also other times but not suspected, I'm terrified.

It's going to be okay. GTR are very reasonable and it's very likely this can be resolved by simply paying them the fares you avoided.

I don't want any criminal record, I regret my actions, I'm terrified, I feel like I'm losing my life I don't know what to do

GTR may offer you a settlement straight away when they get in touch (likely to be 3-5 months), or they might ask for your side of the story, and a suitable response to this, drafted with our help, is very likely to result in a settlement being offered.

He asked me my name, he put some invalid personal info than the one I wrote, except the the address.

Can you explain this further? Did you provide the correct details? How do you know what he put down was invalid?

Now I feel like my life is over because of this, is it?

Not at all.

 

[shadowspectre]

It's going to be okay. GTR are very reasonable and it's very likely this can be resolved by simply paying them the fares you avoided.

How reasonable, I'm terrified, I'm willing to do anything but no conviction.

GTR may offer you a settlement straight away when they get in touch (likely to be 3-5 months), or they might ask for your side of the story, and a suitable response to this, drafted with our help, is very likely to result in a settlement being offered.

Can you elaborate?, is it on this particular case?, he said I did it before, I don't know what to expect

Can you explain this further? Did you provide the correct details? How do you know what he put down was invalid?

I put my name on the tablet, then he asked me about my dob then then in the statement paper I got both incorrect.

Not at all.

Really?, I'm desperate to do anything but not have a record, I've never been convicted of anything and it will destroy me if this happens.

 

[WesternLancer]

How reasonable, I'm terrified, I'm willing to do anything but no conviction.

Can you elaborate?, is it on this particular case?, he said I did it before, I don't know what to expect

I put my name on the tablet, then he asked me about my dob then then in the statement paper I got both incorrect.

Really?, I'm desperate to do anything but not have a record, I've never been convicted of anything and it will destroy me if this happens.

I’m afraid you just have to wait until they write to you and see what they say. There’s not much you can do other than that at this stage.

But to be frank with you, if you wanted to avoid a conviction you should have thought about that before you chose to evade paying the correct fare for your travel.

But you have every chance of avoiding a conviction if you follow advice from here. It’s just going to cost you a reasonable sum of money to achieve that.

 

[shadowspectre]

Thanks I was hoping for something more hopeful than thag, but I will never ever do anything like that, is there anything just anything I can do?


I don't think I can sleep

 

[z444z]

How reasonable, I'm terrified, I'm willing to do anything but no conviction.

GTR tend to only prosecute if you do not engage with them and offer to pay them what you owe. With our help, it is very likely you’ll be able to avoid a conviction. But the fact is that you broke the law and could be prosecuted for it, so we cannot give you any guarantee that won’t happen.

Can you elaborate?, is it on this particular case?

We know how the process works and how different train companies handle things from the vast number of cases we have seen and helped to resolve on this forum. But yes the advice we are giving is with the information you’ve given in mind.

I put my name on the tablet, then he asked me about my dob then then in the statement paper I got both incorrect

Are you certain that the address recorded is correct? This is an important question as it’s crucial that their letter reaches you.

 

[shadowspectre]

We know how the process works and how different train companies handle things from the vast number of cases we have seen and helped to resolve on this forum. But yes the advice we are giving is with the information you’ve given in mind.

I understand that and I appreciate it, I just don't want this to here the end of my future.

Are you certain that the address recorded is correct? This is an important question as it’s crucial that their letter reaches you.

Yes it is, I checked it again on the paper.

GTR tend to only prosecute if you do not engage with them and offer to pay them what you owe. With our help, it is very likely you’ll be able to avoid a conviction. But the fact is that you broke the law and could be prosecuted for it, so we cannot give you any guarantee that won’t happen.

I appreciate that, I am willing to engage and do everything they ask for - because it's the right thing to do and there is a lot at stake here, I'm still in complete shock, and I am hopeful that I can have a clean slate and I'll do whatever it takes, that's how serious I am about this.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks I was hoping for something more hopeful than thag, but I will never ever do anything like that, is there anything just anything I can do?


I don't think I can sleep

If this is causing you immense stress then you could consider using the help of a solicitor specialising in rial fares evasion to try to help you resolve it.

I don't think that is necessary at this stage however, and it would cost you in the region of at least £600 in fees to the solicitor for that help, in addition to what it will be necessary to pay the railway company.

What has happened will definitely not be the end of your future.

 

[shadowspectre]

If this is causing you immense stress then you could consider using the help of a solicitor specialising in rial fares evasion to try to help you resolve it.

I don't think that is necessary at this stage however, and it would cost you in the region of at least £600 in fees to the solicitor for that help, in addition to what it will be necessary to pay the railway company.

What has happened will definitely not be the end of your future.

Thank you for that, at what point do I need a solicitor?, how likely is it Govia to settle instead of prosecution I'm wondering about what I may or may not did before to reach to that stage, hence the fear: I'll do and pay whatever they want even if it will financially cripple me as long as I don't get a conviction, I hope they'll be merciful.

 

[Haywain]

at what point do I need a solicitor?

You don't need one.

how likely is it Govia to settle instead of prosecution

As long as you engage with their communication when you receive, it is almost certain that you will be able to achieve a settlement.

I'm wondering about what I may or may not did before to reach to that stage,

As I said above, engage with the process in the way that we recommend.

You need to worry a lot less than you are at the moment. You have committed a minor criminal offence, and there is a very high probability that you will not be prosecuted. Even in the worst case scenario, the implications are minor - this is ultimately on a similar level to a motoring offence that has gone to court. But that is really unlikely to happen.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for that, at what point do I need a solicitor?,

If after you made your case to them seeking an out of court settlement that failed to achieve the outcome, then that might be the time to involve a solicitor. Unless you wish to pay a solicitor about £600 or more now.

In general terms the advice usually given on this forum might help you to have a look at if you have not already seen it:


Firstly, you committed a criminal offence by travelling with an invalid ticket and railway companies are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them and who haven't come to their attention before.

Next, what happens is the railway company will write to you. The letter will go to the address that you gave them / on any of your ID they checked so you need to be able to access hard copy post at that address as they often send things that way (but also check e-mail and spam). It is extremely important that you reply, and you'll only have a limited time to do so (often 14 days from the date on their communication).

When you receive the letter post a redacted copy of it in this thread, along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you. You'll find lots of example letters you can use in this section of the forum but the reply basically needs to mention:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident and will not do this again
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the railway company’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter

The railway will probably offer you an out of court settlement. Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare for the journey you made at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid ticket you purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also audit your online ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets that were not valid (eg railcard discounted tickets when you did not have a valid railcard, or tickets for only part of the journey, or tickets bought after boarding the train you travelled on ) they will probably factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement offer. Depending on how many journeys you've made over the period concerned this could end up being expensive.

Settlements usually have to be paid in full within a few days of them being offered so if money is tight you might want to think about how you will raise the sum required at short notice.

 

[shadowspectre]

If after you made your case to them seeking an out of court settlement that failed to achieve the outcome, then that might be the time to involve a solicitor. Unless you wish to pay a solicitor about £600 or more now.

In general terms the advice usually given on this forum might help you to have a look at if you have not already seen it:


Firstly, you committed a criminal offence by travelling with an invalid ticket and railway companies are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them and who haven't come to their attention before.

Next, what happens is the railway company will write to you. The letter will go to the address that you gave them / on any of your ID they checked so you need to be able to access hard copy post at that address as they often send things that way (but also check e-mail and spam). It is extremely important that you reply, and you'll only have a limited time to do so (often 14 days from the date on their communication).

When you receive the letter post a redacted copy of it in this thread, along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you. You'll find lots of example letters you can use in this section of the forum but the reply basically needs to mention:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident and will not do this again
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the railway company’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter

The railway will probably offer you an out of court settlement. Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare for the journey you made at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid ticket you purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also audit your online ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets that were not valid (eg railcard discounted tickets when you did not have a valid railcard, or tickets for only part of the journey, or tickets bought after boarding the train you travelled on ) they will probably factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement offer. Depending on how many journeys you've made over the period concerned this could end up being expensive.

Settlements usually have to be paid in full within a few days of them being offered so if money is tight you might want to think about how you will raise the sum required at short notice.

Hi,

Thank you for the advice, I didn't want to risk this by waiting for any letters that may sometimes get lost in transit, so I decided to go with solicitor approach I've filled details and told them everything, it's going to drive to further debt but I can't risk my life by resolving this myself.

I want to resolve this, because it's the right thing to do and I want to clear my conscience and not wonder when will they get me or if my life is ruined.

Hopefully I'l hear back from them soon with a settlment .

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi,

Thank you for the advice, I didn't want to risk this by waiting for any letters that may sometimes get lost in transit, so I decided to go with solicitor approach I've filled details and told them everything, it's going to drive to further debt but I can't risk my life by resolving this myself.

I want to resolve this, because it's the right thing to do and I want to clear my conscience and not wonder when will they get me or if my life is ruined.

Hopefully I'l hear back from them soon with a settlment .

Have you used a solicitor with a track record in rail fare evasion work?

Do
Let us know how you get on.

 

[shadowspectre]

Have you used a solicitor with a track record in rail fare evasion work?

Do
Let us know how you get on.

Hi,

I've seen an extensive amount of posts here, and I appreciate your help to me and others. I noticed the most recommended solicitor is Manak.

I've explained everything that happened during the consultation and explained how complex my record is, and answered questions about whether there are possible invalid refunds or not and if I have been stopped before or not.

I've used my Trainline history until my browser could no longer scroll. I said if they suspect something else historic, I'm not going to dispute it and am willing to resolve it.

I've never been convicted or harmed anyone, and the thought of this case going dark haunts me. Manak Solicitors were confident and kept calming me and were happy with what I have provided.

I'll let you all know what happens next, but what do you think Govia's approach might be? I got remarks such as, "It's good that you moved forward with everything you have before they contact you."

 

[AlterEgo]

You do not need a solicitor to secure an out of court settlement with GTR. They settle basically every case. So you can stop worrying.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi,

I've seen an extensive amount of posts here, and I appreciate your help to me and others. I noticed the most recommended solicitor is Manak.

I've explained everything that happened during the consultation and explained how complex my record is, and answered questions about whether there are possible invalid refunds or not and if I have been stopped before or not.

I've used my Trainline history until my browser could no longer scroll. I said if they suspect something else historic, I'm not going to dispute it and am willing to resolve it.

I've never been convicted or harmed anyone, and the thought of this case going dark haunts me. Manak Solicitors were confident and kept calming me and were happy with what I have provided.

I'll let you all know what happens next, but what do you think Govia's approach might be? I got remarks such as, "It's good that you moved forward with everything you have before they contact you."

Well I think you’ve weighed things up and decided your approach based on that. You ve chosen a solicitor that has a strong record of success reported on here. I can’t recall any negative comments either. (but many people never come back to tell us outcomes one way or the other).

Given Govia take a reasonable stance generally I would think with a solicitor helping you there’s a very strong probability this will be settled out of court. The damage will hopefully just be limited to your bank balance.

Good luck with next steps.

 

[Mattplans]

Hold off on engaging a solicitor. As has been mentioned GTR virtually always settle. I cannot recall seeing one case - during the time I have been watching the forum - where they have not,

but I do recall one case where an apprehensive individual like yourself asked their friend who was a solicitor for help, and GTR responded to their poorly drafted letter wanting to pursue prosecution instead of the standard Ooc Settlement they offer on every case.

If you receive prosecution papers, there's nothing stopping you from engaging a solicitor then. But at this stage, and if you follow the advice that has been given 100x over by experts on this website and has proven to work, you will be given an out of court settlement - like everyone else that listens to the advice given.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Mar 2026 ==

I can appreciate how you are feeling - please try to calm down. This is a scary situation but there are plenty of people who have been in your situation in the past and their stories are on the forum for you to read. GTR are really not in the business of taking every case to prosecution, unlike TfL. It might be one of their only good qualities. Check other posts (search "gtr") if you are unconvinced.

What you need to do now is review your online retailer, do not delete the account you use to buy tickets. Establish how many times you have bought these Cambridge <> Camb South tickets. GTR might want to pursue those lost fares. (I'm unfamiliar with the area - is Hitchin gated? Or do you need to buy another ticket to get out at Hitchin - or how are you exiting there?) If there is clear evidence of doughnutting (buying 2 tickets at the extremities of your journey therefore leaving a hole in the middle that is your unpaid fare), they might try to recover this lost revenue by including the fares you should have paid in the settlement.

You also need to check if there are railcards added to tickets you aren't entitled to. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/fined-1-5k.296887/ - One very similar case where the poster cooperated with us and they were ultimately able to settle with GTR. In my view, GTR were very courteous in this case; even making reductions based on fares already paid (through attempts to evade) when they were under no obligation to do so. They may not be as nice in your case, but regardless this is really worst case scenario as long as you follow the advice given.


in this particular case, GTR offered an ooc settlement first before the individual even asked for one! You would feel pretty silly if you paid money for a solicitor, then ended up receiving this letter (the solicitor would have done no work), and ended up having to pay both. And sometimes they don't make the connection, and will just offer you a settlement for the fare you were caught evading on the day.

In about 2-3 months you will receive a letter from GTR, return to the forums and post the letter. We will help you draft your response.

And finally, if you need it, you can open a thread where some fare 'experts' are able to advise on ways you can save money. You might be surprised as there are some interesting split-ticketing caveats that could allow you to save money, and of course they will recommend you seek out any railcards you might be entitled to.

 

[shadowspectre]

You do not need a solicitor to secure an out of court settlement with GTR. They settle basically every case. So you can stop worrying.

I appreciate the advice. Believe me, I love nothing more than saving and doing it myself, but if there wasn't a lot at stake, then I wouldn't have done it. In fact, I've never involved a solicitor except when I got hit by a car, and that was no win-no fee solicitor.

Well I think you’ve weighed things up and decided your approach based on that. You ve chosen a solicitor that has a strong record of success reported on here. I can’t recall any negative comments either. (but many people never come back to tell us outcomes one way or the other).

Given Govia take a reasonable stance generally I would think with a solicitor helping you there’s a very strong probability this will be settled out of court. The damage will hopefully just be limited to your bank balance.

Good luck with next steps.

Thank you for the feedback they seemed calm and very confident when I explained the whole thing and the history, it's a hefty price I'm paying but ultimately a wake up call.

It's assuring to hear from you and others that they'll settle, and I'll be using a line of credit that I finished paying, here goes the cycle again, I really hope they'll be fair and reasonable amount.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2026 ==

Hold off on engaging a solicitor. As has been mentioned GTR virtually always settle. I cannot recall seeing one case - during the time I have been watching the forum - where they have not,

but I do recall one case where an apprehensive individual like yourself asked their friend who was a solicitor for help, and GTR responded to their poorly drafted letter wanting to pursue prosecution instead of the standard Ooc Settlement they offer on every case.

If you receive prosecution papers, there's nothing stopping you from engaging a solicitor then. But at this stage, and if you follow the advice that has been given 100x over by experts on this website and has proven to work, you will be given an out of court settlement - like everyone else that listens to the advice given.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Mar 2026 ==

I can appreciate how you are feeling - please try to calm down. This is a scary situation but there are plenty of people who have been in your situation in the past and their stories are on the forum for you to read. GTR are really not in the business of taking every case to prosecution, unlike TfL. It might be one of their only good qualities. Check other posts (search "gtr") if you are unconvinced.

What you need to do now is review your online retailer, do not delete the account you use to buy tickets. Establish how many times you have bought these Cambridge <> Camb South tickets. GTR might want to pursue those lost fares. (I'm unfamiliar with the area - is Hitchin gated? Or do you need to buy another ticket to get out at Hitchin - or how are you exiting there?) If there is clear evidence of doughnutting (buying 2 tickets at the extremities of your journey therefore leaving a hole in the middle that is your unpaid fare), they might try to recover this lost revenue by including the fares you should have paid in the settlement.

You also need to check if there are railcards added to tickets you aren't entitled to. https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/fined-1-5k.296887/ - One very similar case where the poster cooperated with us and they were ultimately able to settle with GTR. In my view, GTR were very courteous in this case; even making reductions based on fares already paid (through attempts to evade) when they were under no obligation to do so. They may not be as nice in your case, but regardless this is really worst case scenario as long as you follow the advice given.


in this particular case, GTR offered an ooc settlement first before the individual even asked for one! You would feel pretty silly if you paid money for a solicitor, then ended up receiving this letter (the solicitor would have done no work), and ended up having to pay both. And sometimes they don't make the connection, and will just offer you a settlement for the fare you were caught evading on the day.

In about 2-3 months you will receive a letter from GTR, return to the forums and post the letter. We will help you draft your response.

And finally, if you need it, you can open a thread where some fare 'experts' are able to advise on ways you can save money. You might be surprised as there are some interesting split-ticketing caveats that could allow you to save money, and of course they will recommend you seek out any railcards you might be entitled to.

Wow, thank you so much that is valuable a lot, but I already started and gave everything to the solicitor last week, they said they're happy with it and I'll hear from them once it settles.


Among other reasons I am very worried about handling doing it myself, I sometimes don't get letters I'm suppose to, they end up lost or to the houses next door. Given how serious the consequences might be, I thought I'd show initiative to resolve this.


Thank you so much, this guide gave me visualisation of what to expect as a respone, my case is not not because of the amount (not 100 definelty less), but overall I respect all national railway staff for handling things the right and fair way.

I appreciate you and others helping me resolve this and you guys are heroes, I'll reply back when I hear from them hopefully soon with good news.

 

[Mattplans]

Alright. Could you please return and let us know how much you had to settle for / any other result once you hear back? It could help in the future.