GTR intend to prosecute

[Scilla]

I am looking for some advice regarding a fare evasion incident with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).
I was stopped by a revenue protection officer because I had purchased tickets with a Railcard(16-17) I did not actually hold. The inspector took my details and issued me a witness statement receipt.
This is unfortunately my second time being stopped for a railcard/ticket irregularity. Because of this, I am incredibly anxious about what will happen next. I know GTR keeps a database of past offences and will see my history.
I am currently waiting for the Notice of Intention to Prosecute letter to arrive in the post. My ultimate goal is to avoid court and secure an out-of-court settlement to protect my clean record, but I am worried they will refuse since it is a second offence.
Has anyone been in a similar situation with a second offence with GTR? How likely are they to offer a settlement the second time around, and what is the best way to word my response to maximize my chances?

 

[tatitiliti]

I am looking for some advice regarding a fare evasion incident with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR).
I was stopped by a revenue protection officer because I had purchased tickets with a Railcard(16-17) I did not actually hold. The inspector took my details and issued me a witness statement receipt.
This is unfortunately my second time being stopped for a railcard/ticket irregularity. Because of this, I am incredibly anxious about what will happen next. I know GTR keeps a database of past offences and will see my history.
I am currently waiting for the Notice of Intention to Prosecute letter to arrive in the post. My ultimate goal is to avoid court and secure an out-of-court settlement to protect my clean record, but I am worried they will refuse since it is a second offence.
Has anyone been in a similar situation with a second offence with GTR? How likely are they to offer a settlement the second time around, and what is the best way to word my response to maximize my chances?

GTR generally don’t play hardball and I’d say you have a good chance of settling again provided it wasn’t industrial-scale evasion and you write a contrite and truthful letter back after they write to you.

Bear in mind though that this will probably be your last chance to be caught and avoid court, so be sure to be careful in future.

 

[SECR 65]

Welcome to the forum,

We have seen cases with GTR where a settlement has been achieved despite multiple previous offences:

Witness statement

Today I got witness statement in the govia Thameslink in Gatwick airport. Actually I take physical ticket in Croydon Nd after that I missed the ticket somewhere and booked online ticket in the train after that in train officer asked me to show ticket nd I showed he said you book ticket in the...

www.railforums.co.uk

How was the previous offence dealt with? Penalty fare? Out of court settlement?

Are you entitled age wise for a 16-17 railcard, or not? If you are entitled for any form of railcard, and you travel regulary, then you could buy one to prove to GTR that you want to pay the correct fare from now on.

There isn't much you can do until the letter arrives. It could take a number of months. Let us know if you haven't heard anything in 4-5 months time. If you haven't done so already, have a read of other GTR Notice of Intention to Prosecute threads, to see other people's draft letters. I don't think much difference in wording will be needed to the normal template, but you will need to be very convincing.

 

[Scilla]

Welcome to the forum,

We have seen cases with GTR where a settlement has been achieved despite multiple previous offences:

Witness statement

Today I got witness statement in the govia Thameslink in Gatwick airport. Actually I take physical ticket in Croydon Nd after that I missed the ticket somewhere and booked online ticket in the train after that in train officer asked me to show ticket nd I showed he said you book ticket in the...

www.railforums.co.uk

How was the previous offence dealt with? Penalty fare? Out of court settlement?

Are you entitled age wise for a 16-17 railcard, or not? If you are entitled for any form of railcard, and you travel regulary, then you could buy one to prove to GTR that you want to pay the correct fare from now on.

There isn't much you can do until the letter arrives. It could take a number of months. Let us know if you haven't heard anything in 4-5 months time. If you haven't done so already, have a read of other GTR Notice of Intention to Prosecute threads, to see other people's draft letters. I don't think much difference in wording will be needed to the normal template, but you will need to be very convincing.

i moved to the new address i missed all the correspondence letters so the matter automatically went to the court i was later on discovered then i dealt with writing Statutory declaration

 

[SECR 65]

i moved to the new address i missed all the correspondence letters so the matter automatically went to the court i was later on discovered then i dealt with writing Statutory declaration

OK. It's important that you recieve their correspondance this time. I assume you gave the inspector a correct postal address, and you intend to remain at that current address for the foreseeable future?

 

[Scilla]

OK. It's important that you recieve their correspondance this time. I assume you gave the inspector a correct postal address, and you intend to remain at that current address for the foreseeable future?

he mistakenly put previous address on the Witness receipt. i asked him to correct the address he said he will write to the company and update the Correct address. i’m afraid now .. also will there be any chance to get this matter sorted out of court at any cost ?

 

[SECR 65]

It could be worth emailing GTR to confirm your correct address, but nothing more. Hopefully you can settle out of court but not much you can do till their letter arrives.

From @WesternLancer
for example - something along these lines:


SWR e-mail

prosecutions@swrailway.com

Prosecutions Department
SWR


Today's Date

Dear Sir/ Madam

I was stopped on x date at y location and questioned about the validity of my rail ticket.

I was given this ref number xxxxx [If you were given a ref number - otherwise delete this line]

The paper I was given by the member of staff has my address wrongly recorded on it.

Please note my correct name and address is xxx

My e-mail address is: xxxx

I would be grateful if you could correct this address so that I receive anything you may need to send me.

Yours faithfully

OBVIOUSLY DON'T EMAIL SWR!!!

 

[Scilla]

It could be worth emailing GTR to confirm your correct address, but nothing more. Hopefully you can settle out of court but not much you can do till their letter arrives.

From @WesternLancer
for example - something along these lines:


SWR e-mail

prosecutions@swrailway.com

Prosecutions Department
SWR


Today's Date

Dear Sir/ Madam

I was stopped on x date at y location and questioned about the validity of my rail ticket.

I was given this ref number xxxxx [If you were given a ref number - otherwise delete this line]

The paper I was given by the member of staff has my address wrongly recorded on it.

Please note my correct name and address is xxx

My e-mail address is: xxxx

I would be grateful if you could correct this address so that I receive anything you may need to send me.

Yours faithfully

OBVIOUSLY DON'T EMAIL SWR!!!

Thank you

 

[SECR 65]

Is someone able to provide correct contact details for GTR prosecutions department? They are probably on other threads that someone can find??

 

[WesternLancer]

Is someone able to provide correct contact details for GTR prosecutions department? They are probably on other threads that someone can find??

I can post that GTR address and e mail address later.

I am unclear. Has those OP already submitted a statutory declaration. ?
Or
Planning to submit a Statutory Declaration it has not yet done so?

 

[SECR 65]

I can post that GTR address and e mail address later.

I am unclear. Has those OP already submitted a statutory declaration. ?
Or
Planning to submit a Statutory Declaration it has not yet done so?

I might be wrong, or confused with a different thread, but as far as I understand, they were previously caught ages ago, did not recieve GTR's letter as they moved house, were prosecuted, and then submitted an SD. This was a seperate and now resolved offence.

On this occasion the OP is waiting to hear from GTR re their recent offence. The previosu case was mentioned as it could reduce GTR's chance of settling.

 

[WesternLancer]

I might be wrong, or confused with a different thread, but as far as I understand, they were previously caught ages ago, did not recieve GTR's letter as they moved house, were prosecuted, and then submitted an SD. This was a seperate and now resolved offence.

On this occasion the OP is waiting to hear from GTR re their recent offence. The previosu case was mentioned as it could reduce GTR's chance of settling.

Thanks for this. Helpful to read and hopefully all correct.

 

[jfollows]

Is someone able to provide correct contact details for GTR prosecutions department? They are probably on other threads that someone can find??

Prosecutions Department
Govia Thameslink Railway
Eastside Offices
Kings Cross Railway Station
London N1C 4AX

Here is an e-mail address for them that might be of help to you to inform them of correct details

email: gtr.prosecutions@gtrailway.com

 

[WesternLancer]

Prosecutions Department
Govia Thameslink Railway
Eastside Offices
Kings Cross Railway Station
London N1C 4AX

Here is an e-mail address for them that might be of help to you to inform them of correct details

email: gtr.prosecutions@gtrailway.com

Thanks.

 

[Scilla]

Got it
thank you everyone

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2026 ==

I am writing to seek general guidance regarding a past legal matter and its impact on DBS checks.





I was involved in a minor public transport fare-related case which went to court after I missed correspondence due to an address change. I later attended a statutory declaration, and the matter was reviewed and the fine was reduced.





I would like to understand whether a situation like this would be considered a criminal conviction and whether it would appear on a Basic or Enhanced DBS check.