HELP! Prosecution letter without original fine letter.

[WesternLancer]

It appears to me that you have received pre notification from a court of law regarding an upcoming case. This usually asks how you wish to plead, and if guilty do you want to attend court for mitigation purposes.

This generally means that it has gone beyond the train operators involvement in regards to a pre court settlement. For whatever reason they did not receive your correspondence nor change of address details. Technically, this does not matter as they can, if they wish, go straight to a prosecution. However, they generally prefer, if there are no aggravating factors, to just settle - easier all round.

You have plead guilty and asked to attend court, under normal circumstances this would be a bad move due to the additional costs this involves. However, it may just buy you time to settle with the train operator.

You must, as a matter of urgency, contact the prosecution department, both by email AND registered mail, and explain your situation. Clearly explain that you informed the prosecution department about the situation AND the future (now current) change of address. Reiterate that you wish to settle. Good luck.

If successful, ensure that the train operator withdraws the prosecution and obtain proof of this in writing. Then, if still required to attend court, you will have proof to show the court officials (hopefully a situation that doesn't arise).

Yes. And the only thing to add to this is that if the OP drafts up what they want to say in any written communications as advised here, and post up the draft, people here will happily check it to help get the text as effective as it can be so it can be posted off on Monday with next day delivery.

 

[MotCO]

As long as he tells his employer about this it is highly unlikely that this will have a huge impact on his career. Almost certainly nothing more than a 'be more careful next time' type of conversation. Fare evasion does not make him a safeguarding risk to students which is the key priority for background checking staff.

If he is in either the NASUWT or NEU get him to contact his rep / local office for advice. They also both offer 30 minutes of free legal advice on any issues outside work

Indeed; it is much worse if he doesn't tell his employer and they find out through another route. That could be perceived to be deliberate deception.

 

[island]

That you on 23 Apr 2025, Did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, and upon inspection at Brighton (BTN); did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.


Contrary to Byelaw 18(1) of the Railway Byelaws 2005, made under Section 219 of the Transport Act 2000 by the Strategic Rail Authority and confirmed under Schedule 20 of the Transport Act 2000, as amended by Section 46 of the Railways Act 2005.

I would observe that this charge is bad for duplicity; it is a made-up mishmash of byelaws 18 (1) and (2). This could be raised in court at a hearing, though it would take a confident defendant or a solicitor to make it.

 

[WesternLancer]

We have emailed the prosecution team explaining the situation and politely asking to settle out of court and pay the fine/additional fees. We are waiting to hear back.

the original emails were to the prosecution team yes.

Have you been able to make any progress with things over the last few days?