GWR Reported for prosecution

[tmckiii]

Hi All,

Last week I was travelling from my local station without barriers to bristol temple meads (GWR) and I completely forgot to buy a ticket, as I was approaching the barriers up the stairs at temple meads station I noticed ticket inspectors, I wasn't thinking straight at all and I panicked and bought a ticket from the wrong station which was nearby, which I then got caught for and interviewed under caution. In the interview, I was not aware that the severity of this and I am now really nervous that I could get a criminal record for a silly mistake and for something I did stupidly. I am currently waiting for a letter, any advice on how to ensure this doesn't escalate further, I am more than happy to pay any fine or costs of the damage and I understand the mistake and difficulty this creates for rail companies.

Any helpful replies would be really appreciated as this has never happened to me or anyone I know before. Thank-you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2022 ==

Also, I would like to add, that I am currently in my last few weeks of tenancy at my university home. What would I do if by the time of moving out the letter still has not arrived/Who do I contact?

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi All,

Last week I was travelling from my local station without barriers to bristol temple meads (GWR) and I completely forgot to buy a ticket, as I was approaching the barriers up the stairs at temple meads station I noticed ticket inspectors, I wasn't thinking straight at all and I panicked and bought a ticket from the wrong station which was nearby, which I then got caught for and interviewed under caution. In the interview, I was not aware that the severity of this and I am now really nervous that I could get a criminal record for a silly mistake and for something I did stupidly. I am currently waiting for a letter, any advice on how to ensure this doesn't escalate further, I am more than happy to pay any fine or costs of the damage and I understand the mistake and difficulty this creates for rail companies.

Any helpful replies would be really appreciated as this has never happened to me or anyone I know before. Thank-you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jun 2022 ==

Also, I would like to add, that I am currently in my last few weeks of tenancy at my university home. What would I do if by the time of moving out the letter still has not arrived/Who do I contact?

Only just seen this message - ref questions:

I am currently in my last few weeks of tenancy at my university home. What would I do if by the time of moving out the letter still has not arrived/Who do I contact?

Assuming you gave your university home as your address to them - when you move (and IIRC note it takes a few working days to set this up so you may want to do it now/ v soon) you need to arrange a postal redirection with Royal Mail (see their website) so as to be sure to get any post sent to you. If you have not heard from GWR within say 3 months you may want to contact them directly as if this escalates without your knowledge it takes more time and hassle to sort it out.

You need to check your post until the Royal Mail redirection kicks in (if you want to check it is working after it is set up send yourself a 2nd class letter / postcard to that address, and see if it turns up at the address you have told Royal Mail to send stuff onwards to).

I am currently waiting for a letter, any advice on how to ensure this doesn't escalate further, I am more than happy to pay any fine or costs of the damage and I understand the mistake and difficulty this creates for rail companies.

My advice would be:
a) respond to the letter when you get and engage with GWR about this
b) follow the general advice provided by @Hadders on various threads about how to apologise and seek out of court settlement (you could get drafting your reply whilst you wait your letter if you have time
c) Download and read the GWR revenue protection policy booklet from their website which is helpful in terms of info for you

I note that it was of course random chance that the station you mentioned happened to be closer to Temple Meads than the one you got on at, and thus would have been a lower fare. Such "good fortune" is presumably familar to ticket inspectors . This will not help your case since you have committed the offence of getting on a train without a ticket (an offence even if done by mistake) - then when buying a ticket you attempted to 'short fare' which compound the 1st error with a lie as of course you appreciate - I assume when stopped you admitted to both of these but unless it is put to you, it may be that you can respond to them without going into that error of judgment.

I still think with GWR you have a good chance of settling without court action - when you get your letter and prepare your response people here will be happy to proof read it for you which may help get the best outcome.