ancs28
Member
Wanted some advice on what to expect based on being caught without a ticket by a revenue protection officer.
The incident was in Stratford. He asked to see my ticket, I showed him my phone was out of power, he asked if there was an e-ticket on there and I told him that there wasn’t. I also told him that I had been caught without a ticket once before (I was charged the £50 penalty fare on that occasion). I told him I regularly travelled on the route that I had come from, sometimes with and sometimes without a ticket (I added that this is because I often hurry on board without paying one). I also told him I’d tapped on at Stratford.
He took my name, address, and phone number, and insisted on getting my email, where he said I’d be receiving a letter after he submitted his report. He did not charge me for the ticket, he cautioned me that anything I said could be used in evidence. After that he started telling me the matter could potentially be resolved right now, but I just asked him what he wanted to ask me about. When he didn’t answer I decided it was safest to walk away.
I understand I need to wait for the email, and that I was not charged because they will presumably be asking for that money in a settlement or in court. I assume they will find records of my purchases and go through them based on the information I gave the officer. They may conclude I was short faring based on this. I purchased a one month ticket on the same day covering my regular route, which should hopefully help demonstrate I am willing to pay what I owe without further issues. I will obviously apologise, cooperate and pay any money owed immediately.
Given all this, can I expect a chance to settle out of court, or will they most likely pursue prosecution? If they did want to prosecute me what might they pursue (byelaw vs fraud, civil vs criminal)? Does it matter that the inspector did not give me a caution before I made incriminating statements, or that he only insisted on getting my email address? And is it worth talking to a solicitor yet?
The incident was in Stratford. He asked to see my ticket, I showed him my phone was out of power, he asked if there was an e-ticket on there and I told him that there wasn’t. I also told him that I had been caught without a ticket once before (I was charged the £50 penalty fare on that occasion). I told him I regularly travelled on the route that I had come from, sometimes with and sometimes without a ticket (I added that this is because I often hurry on board without paying one). I also told him I’d tapped on at Stratford.
He took my name, address, and phone number, and insisted on getting my email, where he said I’d be receiving a letter after he submitted his report. He did not charge me for the ticket, he cautioned me that anything I said could be used in evidence. After that he started telling me the matter could potentially be resolved right now, but I just asked him what he wanted to ask me about. When he didn’t answer I decided it was safest to walk away.
I understand I need to wait for the email, and that I was not charged because they will presumably be asking for that money in a settlement or in court. I assume they will find records of my purchases and go through them based on the information I gave the officer. They may conclude I was short faring based on this. I purchased a one month ticket on the same day covering my regular route, which should hopefully help demonstrate I am willing to pay what I owe without further issues. I will obviously apologise, cooperate and pay any money owed immediately.
Given all this, can I expect a chance to settle out of court, or will they most likely pursue prosecution? If they did want to prosecute me what might they pursue (byelaw vs fraud, civil vs criminal)? Does it matter that the inspector did not give me a caution before I made incriminating statements, or that he only insisted on getting my email address? And is it worth talking to a solicitor yet?
