Intention to Prosecute - GTR Railway

[SernityFjord]

Hello,

I would like some advice. I foolishly boarded a train without a ticket back in February 2026. I got on at a station in Bedfordshire and was apprehended by a revenue protection agent at Finsbury Park. They issued me with a notice and said that the train company would write to me.

This week, on 12 May 2026, I received a notice of intention to prosecute. I responded via the online portal on 13 May with my version of events. This was a truthful account of the situation. I admitted that I boarded the train without a ticket due to running late for a work meeting. I apologised, and offered to pay the cost of the journey and any associated administrative costs. I acknowledged the detrimental impact that fare evasion has on the railway industry.

Today I have received a further letter from GTR which states - "having considered the report made to this department and also the points raised in your correspondence I am writing to inform you that this department will be going forward with this case. A pack of court documentation will be sent in due course"

When reading this, I panicked and phoned the department. I actually spoke to the person who had reviewed the case, who advised me to write with further evidence. He said that he could see that this is the third time that I have been caught. The previous time was in September 2025, and the first time was a few years ago. Initially, I was issued a FPN to pay on the spot. The second time, when I asked to settle out of court, I was fined £75. This time, they have not offered an OOCS.

(I know that is was unbelievably foolish to repeat the offence again, especially after being let off with a warning before)

Between being caught in September 2025, and February 2026, I bought a ticket on every single journey that I took. I also kept the tickets, which I will attach in my written correspondence to GTR. I am hopeful that this may be viewed as mitigating evidence, and back up my claim that the lapse in judgement this February this year, was truly a one off.

To make matters worse, I am a civil servant with high level security clearance. Prosecution for an offence of this nature will likely lead to the termination of my employment at a Govt department. I know that what I did was wrong, but I really do not want to lose my job over my stupid decision.

I have attached the letters from GTR, and my draft response. Please can fellow forum members look over the draft and let me know if anything is missing, or ought to be changed?

Thank you

 

[flitwickbeds]

FYI to you and the moderators, one of your attached images contains the GTR reference number, which you may wish to redact.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I am a civil servant with high level security clearance. Prosecution for an offence of this nature will likely lead to the termination of my employment at a Govt department.

On this point, talk to your union rep to see if they can give you a steer.

 

[MotCO]

Maybe a bit pedantic, but 'I have ensured to always to carry a valid ticket for every journey' seems a roundabout way of saying 'I have now always bought the correct ticket'. It sounds like an AI letter rather than an honest heart-felt letter.

Overall though, I am not sure that the letter gives them complete assurance that you will not reoffend. You have already been caught twice and paid the penalty, yet you still failed to buy a valid ticket. You may have to grovel a bit more and somehow convince them that it definitely will not happen again.

 

[Haywain]

Between being caught in September 2025, and February 2026, I bought a ticket on every single journey that I took. I also kept the tickets, which I will attach in my written correspondence to GTR.

GTR are interested in how often you failed to buy a ticket, not how often you succeeded. This doesn't benefit you at all.

 

[SernityFjord]

Maybe a bit pedantic, but 'I have ensured to always to carry a valid ticket for every journey' seems a roundabout way of saying 'I have now always bought the correct ticket'. It sounds like an AI letter rather than an honest heart-felt letter.

Overall though, I am not sure that the letter gives them complete assurance that you will not reoffend. You have already been caught twice and paid the penalty, yet you still failed to buy a valid ticket. You may have to grovel a bit more and somehow convince them that it definitely will not happen again.

I did actually write the letter myself. But thanks for the feedback, I will amend the letter so that it's more heartfelt.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2026 ==

GTR are interested in how often you failed to buy a ticket, not how often you succeeded. This doesn't benefit you at all.

So do you think I should just reiterate what I said in the original response via the online portal? Not include any further details

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2026 ==

 

[SECR 65]

Here are the tickets bought between the two times I was caught. I really did change my behaviour.. it was a stupid one off lapse in judgement and it genuinely won't happen again. I'm so worried about this. I thought that providing evidence that I had changed would be beneficial. But now I'm not sure. I really don't know what to do.

In my opinion it's not completely useless information. I suppose it shows you do actually care. I can't see any harm in including the photos of the tickets, even if it isn't seen as particularly important by GTR.

 

[tatitiliti]

You really want to avoid this going to court if at all possible - keep writing, calling and emailing until the scheduled court date - they may eventually budge at the last minute and you have nothing to lose by trying. Including those ticket photos could be worthwhile too.

 

[AlterEgo]

I really hope the bit about holding a "high security clearance" (which to me means SC or higher) is untrue, for your own sake.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hello,

I would like some advice. I foolishly boarded a train without a ticket back in February 2026. I got on at a station in Bedfordshire and was apprehended by a revenue protection agent at Finsbury Park. They issued me with a notice and said that the train company would write to me.

This week, on 12 May 2026, I received a notice of intention to prosecute. I responded via the online portal on 13 May with my version of events. This was a truthful account of the situation. I admitted that I boarded the train without a ticket due to running late for a work meeting. I apologised, and offered to pay the cost of the journey and any associated administrative costs. I acknowledged the detrimental impact that fare evasion has on the railway industry.

Today I have received a further letter from GTR which states - "having considered the report made to this department and also the points raised in your correspondence I am writing to inform you that this department will be going forward with this case. A pack of court documentation will be sent in due course"

When reading this, I panicked and phoned the department. I actually spoke to the person who had reviewed the case, who advised me to write with further evidence. He said that he could see that this is the third time that I have been caught. The previous time was in September 2025, and the first time was a few years ago. Initially, I was issued a FPN to pay on the spot. The second time, when I asked to settle out of court, I was fined £75. This time, they have not offered an OOCS.

(I know that is was unbelievably foolish to repeat the offence again, especially after being let off with a warning before)

Between being caught in September 2025, and February 2026, I bought a ticket on every single journey that I took. I also kept the tickets, which I will attach in my written correspondence to GTR. I am hopeful that this may be viewed as mitigating evidence, and back up my claim that the lapse in judgement this February this year, was truly a one off.

To make matters worse, I am a civil servant with high level security clearance. Prosecution for an offence of this nature will likely lead to the termination of my employment at a Govt department. I know that what I did was wrong, but I really do not want to lose my job over my stupid decision.

I have attached the letters from GTR, and my draft response. Please can fellow forum members look over the draft and let me know if anything is missing, or ought to be changed?

Thank you

People have given good advice on what you can say to them
But
If you think this is going to be genuinely career limiting for you then perhaps consider engaging a solicitor who specialises in rail fare cases to handle this for you? Several firms are regularly mentioned on this forum by people who have used them, and if you want to seek quotes in the near future the list can be shared here or you can find it on other threads.

It's not cheap in terms of legal fees (probably at least £750 - but you can seek quotes) - but you should trade off the cost of that compared with the lost salary over time that you think it may cost you if a conviction for fare evasion will make it difficult to progress your career and the increased income that would come with that. eg if it prevents a £10k per anum promotion - a one off solicitors fee of £750 is not a large proportion of £10k.

 

[SussexMan]

To make matters worse, I am a civil servant with high level security clearance. Prosecution for an offence of this nature will likely lead to the termination of my employment at a Govt department. I know that what I did was wrong, but I really do not want to lose my job over my stupid decision.

Are you really saying that someone with high level security clearance only has to report prosecutions to their employer? Are you certain that you are not under an obligation to report these events to your employer, whether or not it leads to a prosecution? I'm sure high level security clearance is more than an enhanced DBS. Hiding something from them would be far more serious. I suggest you get urgent advice. I cannot believe that you are not under an obligation to be informing your employer of the situation - indeed I would hope that you are (and anyone in a similar situation is).

High level security clearance is there for a reason and someone who is happy to commit repeated criminal offences maybe shouldn't pass such clearance. Being honest (now) and disclosing this to your employer will be preferable to them finding out later from a third party. If it does lead to you losing your job that's particularly hard for any dependants you may have, but you made the choice to do this.

 

[mmh]

Are you really saying that someone with high level security clearance only has to report prosecutions to their employer? Are you certain that you are not under an obligation to report these events to your employer, whether or not it leads to a prosecution? I'm sure high level security clearance is more than an enhanced DBS. Hiding something from them would be far more serious. I suggest you get urgent advice. I cannot believe that you are not under an obligation to be informing your employer of the situation - indeed I would hope that you are (and anyone in a similar situation is).

There's a lot of "I believe" or "I think" in this thread and little information sharing.

I'm a former SC holder, and I didn't know what the rules were, so I went to look them up. Unlike multiple people in this thread who have not been through security vetting, I wouldn't have said I was "sure" of anything without reading it in black and white, however it seemed unlikely to me that the OP would be required to do anything, at this stage.

This is covered in Section 2. Change of Personal Circumstances (CPC) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...information/aftercare-and-existing-clearances

"If you hold a DV, SC, Level 1B or CTC security clearance you should inform UKSV if you are arrested, refused bail, have received a police caution, reprimand or final warning or are convicted of an offence (other than minor road traffic offences).

"UKSV requires Change of Personal Circumstances (CPC) forms to be submitted via the NSVS portal."

I also want to say that I had a previous criminal conviction while I held SC clearance. It won't of itself result in SC withdrawal, that's for UKSV to decide so it's unhelpful to second guess on this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2026 ==

High level security clearance is there for a reason and someone who is happy to commit repeated criminal offences maybe shouldn't pass such clearance. Being honest (now) and disclosing this to your employer will be preferable to them finding out later from a third party

This is the civil service. It doesn't work like the private sector. You don't inform a manager (in many situations, not just this one), you follow a defined process. The process will determine who is informed. The details behind someone's vetting wouldn't be disclosed to a manager - why would they? Someone either has clearance or they don't, that's it.

 

[Haywain]

There's a lot of "I believe" or "I think" in this thread and little information sharing.

With regard to the security clearance issue, it's one post.

 

[AlterEgo]

There's a lot of "I believe" or "I think" in this thread and little information sharing.

I'm a former SC holder, and I didn't know what the rules were, so I went to look them up. Unlike multiple people in this thread who have not been through security vetting, I wouldn't have said I was "sure" of anything without reading it in black and white, however it seemed unlikely to me that the OP would be required to do anything, at this stage.

They need to inform a vetting officer/UKSV of this thread and the PERSEC violations within the thread. Speaking about your currently-held "high level government security clearance" on social media is a no-no, and the disclosure of location, travel habits (including exact times to the minute) and booking details is cause for concern, particularly as the OP is in a vulnerable position already. If I had ever held such a clearance I would not even disclose it online after it had expired.

Anyone can report a concern anonymously via the NSVS portal or by email.

 

[WesternLancer]

There's a lot of "I believe" or "I think" in this thread and little information sharing.

I'm a former SC holder, and I didn't know what the rules were, so I went to look them up. Unlike multiple people in this thread who have not been through security vetting, I wouldn't have said I was "sure" of anything without reading it in black and white, however it seemed unlikely to me that the OP would be required to do anything, at this stage.

This is covered in Section 2. Change of Personal Circumstances (CPC) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...information/aftercare-and-existing-clearances

"If you hold a DV, SC, Level 1B or CTC security clearance you should inform UKSV if you are arrested, refused bail, have received a police caution, reprimand or final warning or are convicted of an offence (other than minor road traffic offences).

"UKSV requires Change of Personal Circumstances (CPC) forms to be submitted via the NSVS portal."

I also want to say that I had a previous criminal conviction while I held SC clearance. It won't of itself result in SC withdrawal, that's for UKSV to decide so it's unhelpful to second guess on this.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2026 ==


This is the civil service. It doesn't work like the private sector. You don't inform a manager (in many situations, not just this one), you follow a defined process. The process will determine who is informed. The details behind someone's vetting wouldn't be disclosed to a manager - why would they? Someone either has clearance or they don't, that's it.

A helpful post here imho.

 

[mmh]

If I had ever held such a clearance I would not even disclose it online after it had expired.

Hah, you want to go to Whitehall and see all the people with their clearance levels on show - the government ID badge is specifically designed so you can tell someone's clearance level from a distance.

 

[MrJeeves]

I'm a former SC holder, and I didn't know what the rules were, so I went to look them up. Unlike multiple people in this thread who have not been through security vetting, I wouldn't have said I was "sure" of anything without reading it in black and white, however it seemed unlikely to me that the OP would be required to do anything, at this stage.

Agreed.

 

[SernityFjord]

Hello,

Returning to the forum with an update.

Am OOC settlement of £77 has been offered, which I have paid. Very grateful to have been given a final chance.

Thank you to those who suggested improvements to my follow up letter. This was sent on 15 May, a copy is attached.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hello,

Returning to the forum with an update.

Am OOC settlement of £77 has been offered, which I have paid. Very grateful to have been given a final chance.

Thank you to those who suggested improvements to my follow up letter. This was sent on 15 May, a copy is attached.

Thanks for update - a good outcome including relatively low level of charge

Just to check - were you ever actually servded court papers / SJPN etc?

If so I think you should obtain confirmation from the railway company in writing that the case has been withdrawn from the court, and send that to the court so they are aware, and ask the court to confirm it has been withdrawn also - get all that in writing ideally.

You should keep a record of payment of this sum anyway, and given your job keep that long term (over a year) in the unlikely event it is ever needed. Keep copies of all the paperwork too.

 

[SernityFjord]

I have not been serve the SJPN or court papers. Thank you for the advice, I will email them later to request this confirmation.

It may be worth mentioning that I have not yet received a letter from GTR detailing the OOC offer. Instead, I discovered it because by obsessively checking the GTR payments portal withy case reference number.

 

[WesternLancer]

I have not been serve the SJPN or court papers. Thank you for the advice, I will email them later to request this confirmation.

It may be worth mentioning that I have not yet received a letter from GTR detailing the OOC offer. Instead, I discovered it because by obsessively checking the GTR payments portal withy case reference number.

OK - if nothing from court then I don't think you need to worry about that (certainly not yet anyway)

Probably all you need to do is wait a reasonable time for the letter from GTR setting out the offer before e-mailing them about something that may in fact be clearly stated in the offer letter that you have not yet received. I'd give that a week.

I suspect you can pay on the payments portal however, if you wish - but again no reason to do that urgently - if you do pay before getting any letter then I certainly would keep screenshots / proof of payment.