No Ticket... My Own Fault

[DeclanC]

Hello, I just need some advice on what will happen to me regarding what happened today.

I got the station late (my own fault) and just jumped on the train, the train was packed and I couldn't get to the conductor to buy a ticket (my own fault) I got to Lpool Lime Street and tried to walk through the barrier with an out of date ticket (I couldn't buy one as the ticket office is through the other side of the barrier, I do understand this is all my own fault and I am not contesting the punishment I will receive as I know what I did was wrong and unlawful.)

I got stopped and my details got took, I co-operated fully and answered all the questions he asked truthfully, I offered to buy a correct ticket but the guy told me it wasn't necessary and I should expect a letter. I give the guy my address which I proved/backed up was correct with my driving license. The only problem is I am moving house next week (something I obviously happened to forget to tell the gentleman in this already embarrassing situation) so when I move I wont be in receipt of the letter they send and I don't want to leave something that important in the hands of the new homeowner to forward on to me. Can I contact someone to change the address of the letter?

What happened was a moment of panic, I ALWAYS buy a ticket before I get on the train, this morning I had to be in university to deliver a very important presentation and I was running late. I know the train company (Northern) aren't going to be bothered about my personal reasons but that is just what happened.

I am absolutely petrified. I am not a criminal by any means and I am never dishonest when it comes to things like this (obviously proved that wrong today) I was just so stressed over Uni and being late that I let something like this happen.

Because of the circumstances I am almost certain I am going to get a criminal record, something I could obviously do without? How would I approach Northern to get an out of court settlement? I would pay whatever amount the asked of me I just don't want to go to court and ruin my life over a very embarrassing and stupid decision.

Note: I am not looking for sympathy, I know what I did was wrong I done this very impulsively and got caught in the process.

any help would be smashing!

Thanks

 

[dysonsphere]

by the look of youre post you don't have a leg to stand on. You might get a record or they might accept an off the record fine via there own department. Not sure but others will know so keep youre fingers crossed.

 

[hidden]

Where do you travel from?

 

[yorkie]

Hello, I just need some advice on what will happen to me regarding what happened today.

I got the station late (my own fault) and just jumped on the train, the train was packed and I couldn't get to the conductor to buy a ticket (my own fault) I got to Lpool Lime Street and tried to walk through the barrier with an out of date ticket (I couldn't buy one as the ticket office is through the other side of the barrier, I do understand this is all my own fault and I am not contesting the punishment I will receive as I know what I did was wrong and unlawful.)

If you had simply asked to buy the correct ticket, you would probably have been sold it. You might also have been issued with a notice advising you to buy before boarding in future, which Northern call a "Failure to pay" notice.

However as you attempted to avoid paying by showing an out of date ticket, it's now a serious matter.

I offered to buy a correct ticket ...

Had you done so when you approached the barrier, you wouldn't now be facing a prosecution. However as you demonstrated intent to avoid payment, the ticket inspector is within his/her rights to to refuse the correct fare and instead take the matter further.

How would I approach Northern to get an out of court settlement?

They might offer you that opportunity. For less serious offences, Northern's standard amount is £80, but it depends on what evidence they have and it may depend on how busy their prosecutions department is. They might want a lot more, or they might even refuse to settle (less likely).

If they don't, you can offer to settle the matter out of court.

Either way, I am sure they will write to you. Make sure you reply to the letter promptly. Their letter might take some time to arrive though, it depends on how busy they are.

 

[DeclanC]

I know what I did was wrong I panicked as I've never been in that situation before.

This would also be my first ever offense doing anything, will that help my case?

If I get a criminal record I will take the punishment, but it will literally end my life.

Who would be best to contact about my change of address? Through some research the amount of time in which you receive a letter seems quite a jackpot and obviously if I've moved and don't respond to the letter it becomes a court case by default, and if I don't know about the court case I will lose by default.

This is such a mess.

 

[Deerfold]

The only problem is I am moving house next week (something I obviously happened to forget to tell the gentleman in this already embarrassing situation) so when I move I wont be in receipt of the letter they send and I don't want to leave something that important in the hands of the new homeowner to forward on to me. Can I contact someone to change the address of the letter?

I'd recommend you set up mail redirection with Royal Mail - I'd recommend it anyway if you're moving, but certainly if you're expecting anything this important.

It's probably worth contacting Northern too, but we've had various people say they've told a TOC about a change of address and then they're on here as they've been convicted in their absence as all the post has been sent to their old address.

https://www.royalmail.com/personal/...ail redirection services&creative=27573234613

 

[reb0118]

I'd recommend you set up mail redirection with Royal Mail

Seconded.

 

[furlong]

It's probably worth contacting Northern too, but we've had various people say they've told a TOC about a change of address and then they're on here as they've been convicted in their absence as all the post has been sent to their old address.

Perhaps write to them giving old and new address and the date you are moving. Keep a photocopy/photograph of everything you send them and post it at a post office counter asking for a (free) certificate of posting (or pay for Special Delivery if you want to be be able to check that they received it). And since you're writing to them, while you're at it, you might as well enclose a cheque for the full (standard anytime) fare that was due - they're likely to demand that from you eventually - and then maybe include a second cheque as a reasonable contribution towards their administration costs.

 

[martynbristow]

If you were travelling to Liverpool Lime St Northern have a ticket desk manned on the platforms side whenever I pass through. Its only little trolley but since you went past this :/
But my advise is get a season ticket if you travel regularly

 

[DeclanC]

Ok so received a letter which I had to write back to and explain my version of events. Following a lot of the advice on this forum I kept it short, precise and apologetic. I also offered to pay Northern administration fees, compensation and the price of the ticket on the day!

I have just received another letter with a fixed penalty notice which I will pay by telephone on Monday when their office is open.

Thanks for the advice! I think I've learnt my lesson now and implore everyone that it is not even worth the risk of getting on a train without a ticket!

 

[DelayRepay]

Thanks for the advice! I think I've learnt my lesson now and implore everyone that it is not even worth the risk of getting on a train without a ticket!

Thank you for updating us. It's good that you have avoided court. I think this is the outcome Northern want - you will hopefully tell other people about what happened and they'll think twice about avoiding their own fare.