GTR Intention to prosecute

[varia]

Hello,

I received a letter in the post from Govia Thameslink Railway with the title "Notice of Intention to prosecute". On 10 April, I was travelling from Three Bridges to London Bridge on a Themeslink train. I had a ticket with 26-30 Railcard but my railcard got expired on 15th July 2024. After I boarded the train, I saw the revenue protection officer and I purchased a ticket without railcard and presented to him whenhe approached me. He mentioned that the ticket was just purchased some time before. He asked me how did I manage to cross the gates, I told-it was open and there was no staff member. I told him that I also have another ticket and showed him the ticket bought with railcard, he asked me to show the railcard and I told that it is in my wife's phone and I don't have it.
I have renewed my railcard on that day itself(April 10), but from 15th July 2024 to April 10 I have travelled without getting my railcard renewed. I am looking for out of court settlement.
Can you please review the content below and advise if I need to make any changes please. Thank you so much for the help. Please let me know if I should mention that I have renewed my railcard on the same day.
Also, should I mention that I have travelled multiple times without it(I do not think this is a good idea but will they dig up my trainline account to find this).

Dear Prosecution Manager,

On 10/04/2025, I travelled from Three Bridges to London Bridge. I accidentally purchased a ticket under railcard. I have realized the mistake and purchased another ticket without a railcard.

While travelling on the train I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my electronic ticket on my phone. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I was unaware that purchasing the ticket after boarding would be considered invalid. I tried to explain that I had genuinely intended to pay and that this was an honest mistake.

I accept full responsibility for my errors, I was running late and I was rushing through the station. I deeply regret my blunder; it was an honest mistake. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened.

I hope that this matter can be resolved between us without any court action and therefore I ask that you would consider an out-of-court settlement.

I’d like to sincerely apologise for my mistake and any inconvenience caused to the staff of Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.


Yours faithfully,

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Aug 2025 ==

I have modified my draft response a bit, kindly consider this------------------

Dear Prosecution Manager,

I am writing in response to the notice of intention to prosecute letter dated on -- Aug 2025.

Firstly, I would like to apologize to Govia Thameslink Railway for any trouble my actions may have caused, and I am grateful for the opportunity to explain what happened on the day.

On 10/04/2025, I travelled from Three Bridges to London Bridge. I accidentally purchased a ticket under railcard. I have realized the mistake and purchased another ticket without a railcard after boarding.

While travelling on the train I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my electronic ticket on my phone. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I was unaware that purchasing the ticket after boarding would be considered invalid. I tried to explain that I had genuinely intended to pay and that this was an honest mistake.

I now understand that it is illegal to not possess a valid ticket before I board a train and I am truly sorry for my actions. I fully accept that my behaviour was inappropriate and would like to do whatever is necessary to make amends. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened. This has taught me an important lesson, and I have since committed to make sure that I have valid tickets before boarding any trains.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to settle this matter without any court action. I am prepared to pay any penalty fare as well as the administrative costs incurred in dealing with this matter.

I’d like to sincerely apologise for my mistake and any inconvenience caused to the staff of Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.


Yours faithfully,

 

[John R]

Welcome to the forum.

As your two posts have merged, perhaps you can use the edit function to delete the first draft letter so that it makes it easier and quicker for members to read.

One obvious question is why was your railcard (expired or not) on your wife’s phone? You are required to have it with you whenever you travel, else how can staff inspect it when doing a check (I know many don’t ask, but that’s not the point).

GTR almost always settle provided you follow our advice to cooperate, apologise and promise not to do it again. But yes, there is a high probability that they will check your account and build the cost of all those invalid tickets into any settlement offer. They won’t offset the price you did pay either, and will typically use the full Anytime Single fare for each individual journey, which can be expensive if you have made long distance journeys.

 

[WesternLancer]

In your third paragraph I think you need to add something about why you could not show a railcard. For example you had one before but it had expired (and you had not noticed).

Otherwise this looks like you deliberately bought a ticket with a railcard discount to evade the fare which is more serious.

Do not lie in your reply however.

 

[varia]

Hello,

I received a letter in the post from Govia Thameslink Railway with the title "Notice of Intention to prosecute". On 10 April, I was travelling from Three Bridges to London Bridge on a Themeslink train. I had a ticket with 26-30 Railcard but my railcard got expired on 15th July 2024. After I boarded the train, I saw the revenue protection officer and I purchased a ticket without railcard and presented to him whenhe approached me. He mentioned that the ticket was just purchased some time before. He asked me how did I manage to cross the gates, I told-it was open and there was no staff member. I told him that I also have another ticket and showed him the ticket bought with railcard, he asked me to show the railcard and I told that it is in my wife's phone and I don't have it.
I have renewed my railcard on that day itself(April 10), but from 15th July 2024 to April 10 I have travelled without getting my railcard renewed. I am looking for out of court settlement.
Can you please review the content below and advise if I need to make any changes please. Thank you so much for the help. Please let me know if I should mention that I have renewed my railcard on the same day.
Also, should I mention that I have travelled multiple times without it(I do not think this is a good idea but will they dig up my trainline account to find this).

Dear Prosecution Manager,

On 10/04/2025, I travelled from Three Bridges to London Bridge. I accidentally purchased a ticket under railcard. I have realized the mistake and purchased another ticket without a railcard.

While travelling on the train I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my electronic ticket on my phone. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I was unaware that purchasing the ticket after boarding would be considered invalid. I tried to explain that I had genuinely intended to pay and that this was an honest mistake.

I accept full responsibility for my errors, I was running late and I was rushing through the station. I deeply regret my blunder; it was an honest mistake. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened.

I hope that this matter can be resolved between us without any court action and therefore I ask that you would consider an out-of-court settlement.

I’d like to sincerely apologise for my mistake and any inconvenience caused to the staff of Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.


Yours faithfully,

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Aug 2025 ==

I have modified my draft response a bit, kindly consider this------------------

Dear Prosecution Manager,

I am writing in response to the notice of intention to prosecute letter dated on -- Aug 2025.

Firstly, I would like to apologize to Govia Thameslink Railway for any trouble my actions may have caused, and I am grateful for the opportunity to explain what happened on the day.

On 10/04/2025, I travelled from Three Bridges to London Bridge. I accidentally purchased a ticket under railcard. I have realized the mistake and purchased another ticket without a railcard after boarding.

While travelling on the train I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my electronic ticket on my phone. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I was unaware that purchasing the ticket after boarding would be considered invalid. I tried to explain that I had genuinely intended to pay and that this was an honest mistake.

I now understand that it is illegal to not possess a valid ticket before I board a train and I am truly sorry for my actions. I fully accept that my behaviour was inappropriate and would like to do whatever is necessary to make amends. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened. This has taught me an important lesson, and I have since committed to make sure that I have valid tickets before boarding any trains.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to settle this matter without any court ation. I am prepared to pay any penalty fare as well as the administrative costs incurred in dealing with this matter.

I’d like to sincerely apologise for my mistake and any inconvenience caused to the staff of Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.


Yours faithfully,

Welcome to the forum.

As your two posts have merged, perhaps you can use the edit function to delete the first draft letter so that it makes it easier and quicker for members to read.

One obvious question is why was your railcard (expired or not) on your wife’s phone? You are required to have it with you whenever you travel, else how can staff inspect it when doing a check (I know many don’t ask, but that’s not the point).

GTR almost always settle provided you follow our advice to cooperate, apologise and promise not to do it again. But yes, there is a high probability that they will check your account and build the cost of all those invalid tickets into any settlement offer. They won’t offset the price you did pay either, and will typically use the full Anytime Single fare for each individual journey, which can be expensive if you have made long distance journeys.

Thank you so much for your response.
I have been trying to find the edit button to delete my first draft letter but as I couldn't find it-I have commented.
I actually checked the railcard and it was expired. So, I got panicked when the officer approached me and told him that it is with my wife(as I have never been into such situation ever). I am not actually bothered to pay if they build the cost of all the individual tickets by checking the history, I just want to understand if I shall mention it myself or not, later when they find out-I don't want them to directly take it to court thinking I lied as I do not want this to be taken to court at all. As I understand from the other comment that I should not lie-I have edited the draft letter and pasted in that comment, it will be very helpful if you can have a look and provide your valuable suggestions.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Aug 2025 ==

In your third paragraph I think you need to add something about why you could not show a railcard. For example you had one before but it had expired (and you had not noticed).

Otherwise this looks like you deliberately bought a ticket with a railcard discount to evade the fare which is more serious.

Do not lie in your reply however.

Thank you for your response. I have edited my letter as per your response. Can you please have a look, I hope this looks okay-if you think it still indicates any lie-please let me know I can edit it again.

I am not actually bothered to pay if they build the cost of all the individual tickets by checking the history, I just want to understand if I shall mention it myself or not, later when they find out-I don't want them to directly take it to court thinking I lied as I do not want this to be taken to court at all.

----------------------------------------------
Dear Prosecution Manager,

I am writing in response to the notice of intention to prosecute letter dated on 21 Aug 2025.

Firstly, I would like to apologize to Govia Thameslink Railway for any trouble my actions may have caused, and I am grateful for the opportunity to explain what happened on the day.

On 10/04/2025, I travelled from Three Bridges to London Bridge. I accidentally purchased a ticket under railcard(26-30). I have checked my railcard and noticed that it was expired so I realized the mistake and purchased another ticket without a railcard after boarding.

While travelling on the train I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my electronic ticket on my phone. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I was unaware that purchasing a ticket after boarding would be considered invalid. I tried to explain that I had another ticket with railcard but it may not be activte.

I now understand that it is illegal to not possess a valid ticket before I board a train and I am truly sorry for my actions. I fully accept that my behaviour was inappropriate and would like to do whatever is necessary to make amends. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened. This has taught me an important lesson, and I have since committed to make sure that I have valid tickets before boarding any trains, I have also renewed my railcard(26-30) on the same day.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to settle this matter without any court action. I am prepared to pay any penalty fare as well as the administrative costs incurred in dealing with this matter.

I’d like to sincerely apologise for my mistake and any inconvenience caused to the staff of Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.


Yours faithfully,

 

[John R]

This still doesn't read right to me.

It reads as though you bought a ticket, then immediately diligently checked your railcard only to find that it was expired, and thus bought another one. Which begs the question, what prompted you to check when on all the other occasions that you have travelled with an expired railcard you didn't? That feels like it is not quite the true picture, especially when you actually only bought the ticket on seeing the inspector, which they will know.

A cynical investigator might think that you have been travelling with an expired railcard for several months deliberately and using discounted tickets to get through gatelines, and only when you saw an inspector (and maybe heard them asking people for their railcards) thought "Oh, sh**, better buy a new ticket." Which is not what your letter is saying at all.

 

[varia]

This still doesn't read right to me.

It reads as though you bought a ticket, then immediately diligently checked your railcard only to find that it was expired, and thus bought another one. Which begs the question, what prompted you to check when on all the other occasions that you have travelled with an expired railcard you didn't? That feels like it is not quite the true picture, especially when you actually only bought the ticket on seeing the inspector, which they will know.

A cynical investigator might think that you have been travelling with an expired railcard for several months deliberately and using discounted tickets to get through gatelines, and only when you saw an inspector (and maybe heard them asking people for their railcards) thought "Oh, sh**, better buy a new ticket." Which is not what your letter is saying at all.

Thank you for your response.
In that case, shall I accept exactly what has happened itself(this will for sure open other doors and they will check the history).
What I am trying to indicate here is that-I wasn't aware that my railcard is expired till I anyone has checked it.
Or please suggest if you have any other suggestion which would not open any further doors. As I mentioned, I am not worried about paying the fine on my history if they bring it up, but I don't want this to be taken to the court at all.


Kindly find below the edited draft
-----------------------------------------------------
Dear Prosecution Manager,

I am writing in response to the notice of intention to prosecute letter dated on 21 Aug 2025.

Firstly, I would like to apologize to Govia Thameslink Railway for any trouble my actions may have caused, and I am grateful for the opportunity to explain what happened on the day.

On 10/04/2025, I travelled from Three Bridges to London Bridge. While travelling on the train, I have noticed that the revenue protection officer is approaching people to check their tickets so I thought of keeping my ticket ready to present. As the ticket I have bought was using a railcard(26-30), I thought of opening the railcard to present as well but when I opened it I noticed that it was expired so I realized the mistake and purchased another ticket without a railcard.

When I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my ticket without a railcard. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I mentioned that I had another ticket with railcard but it may not be activte.

I now understand that it is illegal to not possess a valid ticket before I board a train and I am truly sorry for my actions. I fully accept that my behaviour was inappropriate and would like to do whatever is necessary to make amends. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened. This has taught me an important lesson, and I have since committed to make sure that I have valid tickets before boarding any trains, I have also renewed my railcard(26-30) on the same day.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to settle this matter without any court action. I am prepared to pay any penalty fare as well as the administrative costs incurred in dealing with this matter.

I’d like to sincerely apologise for my mistake and any inconvenience caused to the staff of Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.


Yours faithfully,

 

[John R]

I would rephrase the last sentence to "I would like to sincerely apologise again for travelling without a valid ticket, and look forward to hearing from you."

Also:-

I have since committed to make sure that I have valid tickets before boarding any trains

doesn't sound as certain as "I will ensure that I have..."

Finally:-

I am prepared to pay...

can sound a bit as though you are calling the shots, which of course you aren't so maybe ""I would be grateful to be offered the opportunity to settle this matter without any court action, and understand that any settlement would need to cover the administration costs in dealing with the case as well as any fare you require."

 

[varia]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have edited the draft as per your suggestions. Kindly have a look and please let me know if any further updates are required. Thank you!

-----------------------------------------
Dear Prosecution Manager,

I am writing in response to the notice of intention to prosecute letter dated on 21 Aug 2025.

Firstly, I would like to apologize to Govia Thameslink Railway for any trouble my actions may have caused, and I am grateful for the opportunity to explain what happened on the day.

On 10/04/2025, I travelled from Three Bridges to London Bridge. While travelling on the train, I have noticed that the revenue protection officer is approaching people to check their tickets so I thought of keeping my ticket ready to present. As the ticket I have bought was using a railcard(26-30), I thought of opening the railcard to present as well but when I opened it I noticed that it was expired so I realized the mistake and purchased another ticket without a railcard.

When I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my ticket without a railcard. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I mentioned that I had another ticket with railcard but it may not be active.

I now understand that it is illegal to not possess a valid ticket before I board a train and I am truly sorry for my actions. I fully accept that my behavior was inappropriate and would like to do whatever is necessary to make amends. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened. This has taught me an important lesson, and I will ensure that I have valid tickets before boarding any trains, I have also renewed my railcard(26-30) on the same day.

I would be grateful to be offered the opportunity to settle this matter without any court action, and understand that any settlement would need to cover the administration costs in dealing with the case as well as any fare you require.

I would like to sincerely apologise again for travelling without a valid ticket, and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.


Yours faithfully,

 

[WesternLancer]

This is looking better I think.

 

[John R]

Agree. I think it’s good to go.

 

[varia]

Agree. I think it’s good to go.

Thank you very much.
Just one thing, I think I mentioned that the railcard is in my wife's phone, I don't remember if the office has captured that in his statement or not. In the line below should I leave mentioning "but it may not be active" as I for sure did not say that to the officer and it can go against me.....
------------------When I was approached by a revenue protection officer who requested to see my ticket, I showed my ticket without a railcard. The officer questioned that the ticket was bought after boarding the train. I mentioned that I had another ticket with railcard but it may not be active.----------------------

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Aug 2025 ==

This is looking better I think.

Thank you so much.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

I have posted the letter as it is, hopeful for the out of court settlement. Thank you so much for the suggestions John!

 

[varia]

I have received a letter from GTR Thameslink stating that they are offering to settle the matter out of the court for not that big amount. Thank you so much John for your suggestions. Thank you WesternLancern for your suggestions.

 

[WesternLancer]

I have received a letter from GTR Thameslink stating that they are offering to settle the matter out of the court for not that big amount. Thank you so much John for your suggestions. Thank you WesternLancern for your suggestions.

Good news. Thanks for update.

When you pay it keep proof of payment as well as copies of all the paperwork and keep that long term eg over a year. You probably won’t ever need it but best to have it saved just in case.

 

[John R]

That’s good to hear. Thanks for letting us know.