margaritapizza
New Member
Hi everyone.
I have received an intention to prosecute letter today that says:
On the below date you were spoken to regarding the following offence: 'That you, in June 2025, did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, and upon inspection at East Croydon did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.'
I bought a ticket from haywards heath to three bridges. During the journey, I bought a ticket from Farringdon to St Pancras. A ticket conductor came on 3 mins later, after getting on at East Croydon, and I realised my ticket wasn't valid from East Croydon, so I bought a ticket from London Bridge (because we had passed East croyden so I couldn't buy it from there) to St Pancras. The conductor then told me he knew I only just bought the ticket and that it was only valid from the next stop. I apologised and said I wasn't sure if I was travelling all the way to london but changed my mind and forgot to buy a ticket after, because I was scared and thought that was better than saying the alternative. I showed him my ticket from HH to Three Bridges, which was valid as I bought it before I boarded the train.
I have short ticketed a few times before, about a year prior to this, when I was in a hard place financially. I understand that that was completely the wrong thing to do and I should have paid the full fare or not travelled. In the last year though I have always paid my full fare for my tickets, I don't know why this time I didn't. It was just stupid of me and I'm very anxious and embarrassed. Prior to this hard financial time I also always paid the full fare for my train ticket.
I am assuming that they will have a look at my ticket history. I have seen a few people say that you shouldn't incriminate yourself if they aren't looking but others that you can assume they'd look at your ticket history. I've never had a fine or been ticketed or cautioned or anything, and I've travelled many times after this incident and paid the full fare. I'm really really scared to be taken to court and I'm so ashamed of my behaviour and I really would like to settle out of court.
Please would I be able to have some advice on what to do? Thank you
I have received an intention to prosecute letter today that says:
On the below date you were spoken to regarding the following offence: 'That you, in June 2025, did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, and upon inspection at East Croydon did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.'
I bought a ticket from haywards heath to three bridges. During the journey, I bought a ticket from Farringdon to St Pancras. A ticket conductor came on 3 mins later, after getting on at East Croydon, and I realised my ticket wasn't valid from East Croydon, so I bought a ticket from London Bridge (because we had passed East croyden so I couldn't buy it from there) to St Pancras. The conductor then told me he knew I only just bought the ticket and that it was only valid from the next stop. I apologised and said I wasn't sure if I was travelling all the way to london but changed my mind and forgot to buy a ticket after, because I was scared and thought that was better than saying the alternative. I showed him my ticket from HH to Three Bridges, which was valid as I bought it before I boarded the train.
I have short ticketed a few times before, about a year prior to this, when I was in a hard place financially. I understand that that was completely the wrong thing to do and I should have paid the full fare or not travelled. In the last year though I have always paid my full fare for my tickets, I don't know why this time I didn't. It was just stupid of me and I'm very anxious and embarrassed. Prior to this hard financial time I also always paid the full fare for my train ticket.
I am assuming that they will have a look at my ticket history. I have seen a few people say that you shouldn't incriminate yourself if they aren't looking but others that you can assume they'd look at your ticket history. I've never had a fine or been ticketed or cautioned or anything, and I've travelled many times after this incident and paid the full fare. I'm really really scared to be taken to court and I'm so ashamed of my behaviour and I really would like to settle out of court.
Please would I be able to have some advice on what to do? Thank you