Guilty/Not Guilty Letter After dodging fares advice.

[mrmwugiowara]

Around a week ago, I went through the double gate at Liverpool street, my friend had his oyster and I lost mine (I also didn't have any money at the time), so I went with him. A TFL inspector stopped me and asked for my details, I gave a slightly scuffed address and name and after he pressured me I gave my real addres. After that I went on my way. I recently recieved a letter that in summary said, explain yourself, we may prosecute you, plead guilty or not guilty. Obviously I was caught dodging fares so pleading guilty makes the most sense. What should I do, and how should I form my response. Also what exactly would/could be the consequences, I'm not completely familiar with the law/bylaws that surround this. I'm happy to pay a fine, and worst case scenario if I end up with a criminal record, ill take it in stride. It would still be very not ideal and how can I prevent that outcome. Thank you!

 

[AndroidBango]

TFL take a binary approach to fare-dodging. They either a) prosecute or b) issue a final warning.

b) is highly unlikely without significant mitigating circumstances and, usually, the intervention of solicitor which will cost £00s.

If you are convicted you will also have to pay a fine.

How old are you?

 

[mrmwugiowara]

19, thanks for responding!

 

[AndroidBango]

19, thanks for responding!

Should have explained, I asked in case you were 16 or under - that might have tended towards a warning.

 

[John R]

I’m afraid that the investigators won’t believe you that you were in Central London, you lost your oyster, and didn’t have any money, nor a phone with a payment facility. And you don’t want them to think that you are lying.

So in your reply I would simply apologise for tailgating and promise not to do it again.

Though as noted in the first reply, it’s highly likely that you will be prosecuted, and on the evidence will be found guilty, which will result in a fine and associated expenses of a few hundred pounds.

 

[mrmwugiowara]

I’m afraid that the investigators won’t believe you that you were in Central London, you lost your oyster, and didn’t have any money, nor a phone with a payment facility. And you don’t want them to think that you are lying.

So in your reply I would simply apologise for tailgating and promise not to do it again.

Though as noted in the first reply, it’s highly likely that you will be prosecuted, and on the evidence will be found guilty, which will result in a fine and associated expenses of a few hundred pounds.

I see, thank you, I have just finished my response, im not sure exactly what they want, if you have the time I would love a seal of approval haha.
I am writing to you in response to your letter regarding an incident that occured on the ____, where I accompanied my friend through the barrier without a valid ticket. I would like to sincerely and profusely apologise for my actions and take full responsibility. I did not realise the seriousness of my actions at the time, breaching TfL's terms of carriage.
I had been out of the country for almost a year, and my zip card had expired. I entered the tube using my debit card, and at the time, I believed I didn't have enough money to return. However, I know that nothing excuses my actions and I should've found a way around it. Since the incident, I have purchased a new oyster and have been using it correctly, as intended.
I understand that this doesn't recitfy my actions, but I want to emphasise this was a one-time mistake. I deeply regret it, and I hope this does not define me or my future. I clearly understand the importance of my actions and the impact it has on the transport in the city I love. I know I have learnt from this and I will never do it again.
I respectfully request that you consider resolving this matter without further legal action. I would be extremely grateful if you would consider settling this matter out of court by allowing me to cover fees, fines, reimbursments and any administrative costs you deem appropriate to resolve the situation.

Once again, I offer my sincerest apologies and assure you that this won't happen again. Thank you for considering my response.
Yours sincerely,
my name

 

[JBuchananGB]

Tailgating as you did is an offence in its own right, and the apology seems sincere, but if you had tapped in somewhere with a debit card, does your bank show a transaction in connection with this? Is your debit card registered on your TFL account, if not you should add it on there to see what journey history is showing. It's possible that in your letter of apology you may be able to provide evidence of your tap in with debit card, and associated "uncompleted journey" charge. Just a thought.

 

[mrmwugiowara]

It is not registered on my TFL account, I have a 3.50 charge on my debit card from TFL the morning after, I'm not sure it's the strongest evidence either way. I think i wont mention it but ill have it if they ask. Thank you for your help xx

 

[MotCO]

It is not registered on my TFL account, I have a 3.50 charge on my debit card from TFL the morning after, I'm not sure it's the strongest evidence either way. I think i wont mention it but ill have it if they ask. Thank you for your help xx

Where did you tap in? Would £3.50 cover your fare for the journey you undertook? If so, I would certainly mention it in your response. It could make the difference between having a criminal record for fare evasion (and the difficulties that could have on your employment etc.) or not.

If you choose to use this as mitigation, you would need to drastically revise your draft response, for example, remove "I believed I didn't have enough money to return."

 

[mrmwugiowara]

As in, I travelled to central london with my debit card, which costs 3.50. Then to return I had no money so I went through with my friend. Does that still make difference?

 

[MotCO]

Did you go to your local station, tap in with your debit card, then arrived in London and left the station without tapping out. You then returned to the central London station later in the day, and that is when you pushed through the barrier with your friend, i.e. it was a separate journey? If so, I probably would not refer to your journey into London - it is not relevant to your case. Also, I would then delete "I entered the tube using my debit card, and at the time, I believed I didn't have enough money to return" since it confuses the case.

 

[mrmwugiowara]

I see, thank you. I went to London and tapped in and out with my debit card, on my journey there. But on the way back I went through without an oyster, a seperate journey.