No letter from GWR- I dont live UK anymore

[mh2802]

I was interviewed by an officer for not having my railcard with me , GWR office on 2nd November 2024.
When purchasing my tickets for the journey, I mistakenly selected the railcard option in the app, I did not realize this mistake until I was questioned by the officer. Additionally, I mentioned that I had purchased several tickets on the same day when I was buying this ticket which may have contributed to my confusion, as I do not use the Trainline app frequently. I must have selected the railcard by mistake.
When asked if I had a railcard, I confirmed that I had one last year 16-25 (as a mature student), and the officer took a picture of it for reference. I said, I was happy to pay a fine for my carefulness. I also bought a return ticket from Oxford to Birmingham in the same app without a railcard.

I sent couple of email on GWR they said case is not found on december 19.

I had to leave UK on march 2025 due to my visa expired. There was no letter until that time.
What should I do now?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Were you given any documentation from the officer at the time?
And did you pay any penalty at the time after being confronted?

 

[mh2802]

I gave my address (that time I was in UK), phone number and my email. I was interviewed he wrote all detail and he gave me return ticket but even I don't use it .

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i was only given this and return ticket for birmingham but I did not used it.

 

[enyoueffsea]

I had to leave UK on march 2025 due to my visa expired. There was no letter until that time.
What should I do now?

Do you plan to return to the UK?

It’s possible a letter would have been sent to you, you didn’t respond and have received a prosecution in your absence.

If you have no plans to ever return, it’s unlikely to ever cause an issue.

If you do, a prosecution and unpaid court fine could have consequences for any visa application.

 

[mh2802]

I had waited until March, no letter had arrived! I asked my former flatmates to check it.
I read a thread someone has 17 months later letter .
I sent couple of emails to check letter they sent this email. Later I waited no letter arrived .
For now I cant come back UK at least a year but maybe later.

I sent another email to check it if there is any case?
What should I do, contact a lawyer to check?

 

[mh2802]

Fraud Act prosecutions by the railway are extremely thin on the ground.

What does it means?

 

[30907]

I had waited until March, no letter had arrived! I asked my former flatmates to check it.
I read a thread someone has 17 months later letter .
I sent couple of emails to check letter they sent this email. Later I waited no letter arrived .
For now I cant come back UK at least a year but maybe later.

I sent another email to check it if there is any case?
What should I do, contact a lawyer to check?

When did GW last contact you? And when did you last contact them?
Did you inform them that you no longer have a UK address?

Given that they have your email, it's fairly unlikely they wouldn't use it to contact you.

I don't think it's worth contacting a lawyer, and I suspect GW may have decided not to take any action.

 

[mh2802]

The last contact was 19th December.

Then I have became more stressed recently and I sent an email today I wish I did not.

My formed flatmates confirmed that there is no letter arrived at all.

My concern if they send any letter court or fine, I will not get it. Later if I apply visa it will be problem.
My previous phone is not active as well The only contact they can reach me is via email.

 

[WesternLancer]

The last contact was 19th December.

Then I have became more stressed recently and I sent an email today I wish I did not.

My formed flatmates confirmed that there is no letter arrived at all.

My concern if they send any letter court or fine, I will not get it. Later if I apply visa it will be problem.
My previous phone is not active as well The only contact they can reach me is via email.

Can you indicate who you are sending e mails to at GWR? Which address?

 

[mh2802]

GWRProsecutions@gwr.com

 

[30907]

If they were going to prosecute, they would have to have applied to do so by 1 May.

In the unlikely event that the court process happens AND you are chased for an unpaid fine, there is a way of resetting the clock called a Statutory Declaration. Please ask for advice if that happens.

 

[mh2802]

If they were going to prosecute, they would have to have applied to do so by 1 May.

In the unlikely event that the court process happens AND you are chased for an unpaid fine, there is a way of resetting the clock called a Statutory Declaration. Please ask for advice if that happens.

ohh really? it means that even if they can go to court, they are already late for that or I can undo it ?. Sorry for my english not good.

 

[WesternLancer]

GWRProsecutions@gwr.com

Thanks

a) - that looks like a correct email address to contact them and ask them things about this. Perhaps you just need to wait to see what they say in reply to your most recent e-mail.

b) Also it sounds like you have been able to ask friends to check for hard copy post at the address for you which you originally gave - which I assume they have done regularly. Is that correct?

c) Perhaps you could post a copy of the message you sent by e-mail here (remove your personal details from it) - if English is not your first language I am wondering if it is not clear to them exactly what you are asking them at this stage and if so we might be able to help you by checking your wording

 

[mh2802]

my email was them ;
Dear GWR,
I am writing regarding an issue that arose during my one of journey from Birmingham New Street to Oxford on 2nd November 2024. I was interviewed by an officer for not having my railcard with me, and I would like to explain the situation in more detail.
When purchasing my tickets for the journey, I mistakenly selected the railcard option in the app, I did not realize this mistake until I was questioned by the officer. Additionally, I mentioned that I had purchased several tickets on the same day when I was buying this ticket which may have contributed to my confusion, as I do not use the Trainline app frequently. I must have selected the railcard by mistake.
When asked if I had a railcard, I confirmed that I had one last year 16-25 (as a mature student), and the officer took a picture of it for reference. I said, I was happy to pay a fine for my carefulness. I also bought a return ticket from Oxford to Birmingham in the same app without a railcard. After this carefulness; rest my journey tickets were paid as adult tickets as well.
The officer informed me that a letter would be sent by your company to resolve this issue without the need for court proceedings, to be issued within 21 days. However, I have not yet received any such letter until March 2025.
Then, Unfortunately I had to leave UK due to my health problems. I cant access any letter even if it was sent. No email sent as well.
I would appreciate it if we could resolve this matter as soon as possible, without the need for further escalation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt response.
Sincerely,

They sent as reply in the attachment:

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Now I wonder it has bern more than 6 months, will there be any court from now on ?

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Now what should I do now? They can give me on court ?
If there is a report they cant leave it I assume ç.
I realized several tickets were purchased (total 8 journeys)
I am panicking

 

[Trainbike46]

Firstly, do not panick. The most recent email from GWR, which you've shared in your most recent post, makes clear that you haven't missed any communications, so that is good. People with much more expert knowledge than me will likely be along soon.

Secondly, as more than 6 months have passed, they can no longer prosecute you under the railway byelaws or under the regulation of railways act. A prosecution in criminal court is therefore almost impossible*.

*Technically, they could try to prosecute you under the fraud act, but that seems unlikely given what you've told us here

Have you informed GWR that you no longer live in the uk? If so, have you provided them with new details to contact you through?

 

[mh2802]

I simply said I dont live in UK anymore in a reply e mail.

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How can I prevent any prosecuteme under the fraud act.

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What should I do now ? Contact a lawyer? Wait for email or letter

 

[WesternLancer]

I simply said I dont live in UK anymore in a reply e mail.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jul 2025 ==

How can I prevent any prosecuteme under the fraud act.

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What should I do now ? Contact a lawyer? Wait for email or letter

There’s no reason to involve a lawyer at this stage. Wait to see how they reply to you.

 

[WesternLancer]

I have the same situation no letter received over 6 months. I saw one case someone got an email after 17 months from GWR.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jul 2025 ==


What does it means?

It means it is very unlikely that the railway would use fraud legislation to actually prosecute you or most other people.

 

[mh2802]

It means it is very unlikely that the railway would use fraud legislation to actually prosecute you or most other people.

Thank you for clarifying this for me. english is not my first language.

 

[mh2802]

There’s no reason to involve a lawyer at this stage. Wait to see how they reply to you.

There will be “a case” in any circumstance if I understand correctly right?

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for clarifying this for me. english is not my first language.

That’s fine. Always feel free to ask questions to get clarification.

 

[WesternLancer]

There will be “a case” in any circumstance if I understand correctly right?

Well I think it’s reasonable to assume they have an interest in investigating your ticket and travel. But that does not automatically mean they will decide to give you a penalty.

 

[mh2802]

Hi all. I was interviewed under caution in mid August 2024 at Paddington station after being caught by a GWR officer while travelling with an invalid ticket. I gave all my real details but i haven’t received any letter or notification at all - 8 months later… I was wondering if my case is closed? I was not given any reference number or document at all at the station

You can write an email about your situation
GWRProsecutions@gwr.com

 

[mh2802]

Well I think it’s reasonable to assume they have an interest in investigating your ticket and travel. But that does not automatically mean they will decide to give you a penalty.

I see. Now I have to wait I assume nothing can be done in this time