GTW intent to take case to court

[Mrsj]

Hello,
I have recently a letter from GTR saying the are informing me of their intention to take my case to the magistrates court and have 14 days to reply with my version of what happened.
I was travelling from my home station to city thameslink and I was running late and forgot to tap in. I got to Blackfriars and forgot that hadn’t tapped in and panicked so I bought a ticket on Trainline from Blackfriars to City Thameslink, when exiting at City there were revenue protection officers who stopped me and I didn’t have a valid ticket as I didn’t realised I had bought it with 16-17 saver railcard.
This letter has me very anxious and in panic. I would appreciate any advice on how to reply back to this letter, how to avoid going to court, what to do next, etc. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[srg]

You still have your name visible on both pages of the letter and a reference number. You might want to redact them.

 

[AlterEgo]

Where did you start your journey? When the company audits your ticket purchasing accounts, how many times will they see you’ve bought the cheapest possible ticket to exit?

 

[Mrsj]

Where did you start your journey? When the company audits your ticket purchasing accounts, how many times will they see you’ve bought the cheapest possible ticket to exit?

I started my journey from my home - which is about 8 stops before Blackfriars.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jul 2025 ==

@Hadders I’ve heard you’ve got some great advice. Would appreciate your help on how to reply to this letter and what to do next

 

[AlterEgo]

I started my journey from my home - which is about 8 stops before Blackfriars.

Where is that? I assume it’s an unbarriered station.

If buying short tickets is something you do regularly the company can and will look into this and you will need to tailor your response accordingly. They know this is clear fare evasion - it’s the cheapest possible ticket you could have bought to exit the barrier at City Thameslink and you also applied the highest possible discount to the ticket too. They see hundreds or even thousands of these cases every year.

 

[Hadders]

How many times have you purchased Blackfriars to City Thameslink tickets discounted with a 16-17 railcard? This will all be visible to GTR.

 

[Mrsj]

@Hadders
Only once or twice I believe as I started a new job in the area a few months ago.

This is my time ever being caught and I regret what I have done, and I am so anxious and nervous. When the officer pulled me over he said I would be receiving a penalty fare but received this letter instead.

Would appreciate your advice on how to reply to the letter and what to do next and how to settle out of court. I am happy to settle out of court and pay the amount necessary and accept consequences for my actions and have learned from my bad actions.

If they have sent me this letter asking me about the incident on the 31st of March, so I reply to just what happened on the 31st of March?

I no longer have the Trainline account where I had bought that ticket as my phone for stolen while it was unlocked so I had to delete a whole bunch of accounts for stuff.

 

[SussexMan]

@Hadders
I no longer have the Trainline account where I had bought that ticket as my phone for stolen while it was unlocked so I had to delete a whole bunch of accounts for stuff.

The trainline will still have access to your deleted account. The normal thing for someone to do if a phone is lost/stolen would be to change their password, not delete their account though.

 

[Mrsj]

Any advise on how to write a response to this letter would be greatly appreciated as I’m in a bit of panic and anxious. Many thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jul 2025 ==

I have also issue checked my contactless history and I did tap out at city thameslink and was charged £10.40. So I have received the letter with intent to prosecute as well as I also have the evidence of tapping out.
Would appreciate any help from anyone regarding how to reply to the letter and if I should get a solicitor.

 

[enyoueffsea]

You won’t need a solicitor, but you will need to be more honest in your communication with the TOC.

I was travelling from my home station to city thameslink and I was running late and forgot to tap in

Forgot? Or intentionally didn’t tap in hoping to evade the fare?

I didn’t realised I had bought it with 16-17 saver railcard

You knew exactly what you were doing.

Only once or twice I believe as I started a new job in the area a few months ago.

They can check your account for all journeys, not just this one. So if you have travelled on other services, they will have access to this information too. Any incorrect railcards applied will be visible.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Jul 2025 ==

The advice Hadders often gives in terms of framing your response, noted below.

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the administrative costs in dealing with the matter

 

[Mrsj]

I have written a draft letter and would appreciate any advice or changes to be made:

Dear xxx,

I am writing in response to the Notice of Intention to Prosecute dated 10th July, Reference (redacted) regarding what took place on the 31st of March 2025 at City Thameslink. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond.

On 31st March 2025, I travelled from Tadworth to City Thameslink but had purchased a ticket from Blackfriars to City Thameslink and was therefore unable to produce a valid ticket entitling travel when I was stopped by a revenue protection officer.

I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions. I fully accept that I was travelling without a valid ticket for my journey and understand the seriousness of my actions. In a moment of panic, I purchased a ticket from Blackfriars to City Thameslink with a discount, even though I was not entitled to it and it did not cover my full journey. I know that purchasing a cheaper ticket is only for railcard holders and isn’t allowed when you don’t have one. There is no excuse for this, and I realise that this is, dishonest, disrespectful and deeply regret my actions, and I have learned a difficult lesson from this.

Not paying the full fare is both disrespectful to everyone who does pay the correct amount and also harms the rail industry. I have learned the amount that rail evasion costs the industry and understand the seriousness of not having a valid ticket, and the seriousness impact it has on the transport network, and the significant knock-on effect.

As a neurodivergent individual with ADHD and Autism this incident has caused me considerable anxiety and panic. I keen to settle this matter out of court, and I willing to pay outstanding fares and any administrative costs, any amount you consider in order to be able to settle this matter out of court. I will do anything to resolve this matter.

Please accept my sincerest apologies once more. I look forward to your response and resolving this matter out of court.

Your faithfully,

 

[Hadders]

I think the letter reads ok. A couple of small amendments:

- ADHD and autism - did this condition cause you to purchase an incorrect ticket? If not, I'm not sure there's any need to mention it. Anyone caught with a railway ticketing irregularity (or any other offence for that matter) is likely to suffer a degree of anxiety, stress etc as a result.
- I would amend slightly the wording ehere you ask for an out of court settlement. I suggest something like:

I wondered if it would be possible to settle the case without having to go to court. I am willing to pay the outstanding fares and your administrative costs in dealing with this matter.

Do keep us updated with the outcome of your case.

 

[SuspectUsual]

I purchased a ticket from Blackfriars to City Thameslink with a discount, even though I was not entitled to it and it did not cover my full journey. I know that purchasing a cheaper ticket is only for railcard holders and isn’t allowed when you don’t have one

As a neurodivergent individual with ADHD and Autism this incident has caused me considerable anxiety and panic

With respect, saying you knew at the time what you were doing was wrong, and then pointing out it’s subsequently caused you anxiety because you’re neurodivergent is likely to make the train company ask why someone with such a condition would deliberately inflict it on themselves if it’s so bad.

I’d remove the neurodivergence sentence

 

[Mrsj]

I think the letter reads ok. A couple of small amendments:

- ADHD and autism - did this condition cause you to purchase an incorrect ticket? If not, I'm not sure there's any need to mention it. Anyone caught with a railway ticketing irregularity (or any other offence for that matter) is likely to suffer a degree of anxiety, stress etc as a result.
- I would amend slightly the wording ehere you ask for an out of court settlement. I suggest something like:



Do keep us updated with the outcome of your case.

This my revised response: Please let me know if this is better and any changes to make

Dear xxx,

I am writing in response to the Notice of Intention to Prosecute dated 10th July, Reference (redacted) regarding the ticket inspection that took place on the 31st of March 2025 at City Thameslink where I was unable to produce a valid ticket entitling me to travel. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond.

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for not holding a valid ticket for my journey from Tadworth to City Thameslink. In a moment of panic, I purchased a ticket with a discount, even though I was not entitled to it and it did not cover my full journey. I recognise the seriousness and the consequences of my actions, and fully understand that travelling without a valid ticket for my journey is unacceptable and disrespectful towards my fellow passengers, railway staff and the railway industry. I am ashamed of myself and I am deeply sorry for my actions, and have learned a difficult lesson from this.

I fully acknowledge that I violated my responsibility of ensuring that I travel with a valid ticket and understand that there is no excuse for this. I understand the severe and detrimental financial impact this has on the railway industry, and have learned a valuable lesson of personal responsibility and the significant knock-on effect this has.

I sincerely apologise and fully understand and regret my actions. I would be extremely grateful to resolve and settle this matter without having to go to court. I am willing to pay outstanding fares, any associated administrative costs and any other costs that your company has incurred. I am prepared to actively cooperate, and will do anything to resolve this matter out of court.

Please accept my sincerest apologies once again. I appreciate your time and consideration and hope you will allow me to resolve this matter out of court.

Your faithfully,

 

[30907]

It's basically fine but a bit repetitive, which won't endear you to the person reading it.

Para 2, you could delete sentences 2 and 3 - Para 3 goes over the same ground.

Para 4, you could delete the last sentence.

 

[Mrsj]

I have written it, please let me know if this is better, or if it still too repetitive or too long.

Dear xxx,

I am writing in response to the Notice of Intention to Prosecute dated 10th July, Reference (redacted) regarding the ticket inspection that took place on the 31st of March 2025 at City Thameslink where I was unable to produce a valid ticket entitling me to travel. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond.

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for not holding a valid ticket for my journey to City Thameslink. I recognise the seriousness and the consequences of my actions, and fully understand that travelling without a valid ticket for my journey is unacceptable and how it is disrespectful towards my fellow passengers, railway staff and the railway industry. I am ashamed of myself and I sincerely apologise for my actions, and regret my actions. I have learned a difficult lesson from this, and have read and understood the severity of doing this and the detrimental financial impact this has on the railway industry, and have learned a valuable lesson of personal responsibility to purchase the correct ticket.

I am once again deeply sorry for my actions, and would be extremely grateful to resolve and settle this matter without having to go to court. I am willing to cooperate, pay outstanding fares, any associated administrative costs and any other costs that your company has incurred.

I appreciate your time and consideration and hope you will allow me to resolve this matter out of court.

Your faithfully,

 

[enyoueffsea]

Looks fine to me with the alterations you have made.

 

[Mrsj]

Have written a new draft based on people’s feedback and reading other letters. Please advise if this is better and more concise and let repetitive?

Dear xxx,

I am writing in response to the Notice of Intention to Prosecute dated 10th July, Reference: (redacted). Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond.

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions of not holding a valid ticket for my journey when inspected at City Thameslink on the 31st of March. I now realise the severity of my actions and deeply regret them. I am ashamed of myself and I now understand the detrimental financial impact these actions have on your service, the railway staff, the railway industry and the other travellers. I have learned a valuable lesson of personal responsibility to purchase the correct ticket when travelling.

I am deeply remorseful of my actions, and I am very keen to settle this matter without the need for court action. I am willing to pay any outstanding fares, administrative costs and any other costs that your company has incurred in dealing with this matter.

Please accept my sincerest apologies once again. I appreciate your time and consideration and hope you will allow me to resolve this matter out of court.

Your faithfully,

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2025 ==

have a new draft above. Appreciate any feedback.
Also should I seek legal advice/ask a solicitor before sending this letter? Or just send it?
I really want to settle this matter out of court

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Have written a new draft based on people’s feedback and reading other letters. Please advise if this is better and more concise and let repetitive?

Dear xxx,

I am writing in response to the Notice of Intention to Prosecute dated 10th July, Reference: (redacted). Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond.

Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions of not holding a valid ticket for my journey when inspected at City Thameslink on the 31st of March. I now realise the severity of my actions and deeply regret them. I am ashamed of myself and I now understand the detrimental financial impact these actions have on your service, the railway staff, the railway industry and the other travellers. I have learned a valuable lesson of personal responsibility to purchase the correct ticket when travelling.

I am deeply remorseful of my actions, and I am very keen to settle this matter without the need for court action. I am willing to pay any outstanding fares, administrative costs and any other costs that your company has incurred in dealing with this matter.

Please accept my sincerest apologies once again. I appreciate your time and consideration and hope you will allow me to resolve this matter out of court.

Your faithfully,

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2025 ==

have a new draft above. Appreciate any feedback.
Also should I seek legal advice/ask a solicitor before sending this letter? Or just send it?
I really want to settle this matter out of court

That looks good to go. If you haven't already sent it, then get it off, and try to relax about the matter now (I know that's much easier for us to say than it is for you to do!)

For the moment, you don't need a solicitor: what we normally see in response to letters like this is an offer for you to settle the matter out of court.

 

[Hadders]

The letter is good to go.

There's no need to involve a solicitor at this stage. GTR almost always offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them (there are lots of examples in this section of the forum).

If for any reason GTR do not offer you a settlement then that is when I'd look to use a solicitor.

Please do let us know how you get on.