Northern Rail Fare Evasion...Help!

[Hextra]

Okay so I'm kind of in a pickle right now. This is what happened I took a train to Manchester and then realized I didn't have my money with me. When I got of the train the ticket guy started asking me for my info (name, address and so on). So this is where I messed up, instead of giving him a real address I gave them my old one and a fake name:neutral:...I then ended up changing the address to my real one but the name remained fake. This was about a month ago, I have now received a letter adressing the fake name. It says that if I dont reply Ill get a criminal record and a fine of £1,000. I really dont know what to do, some one PLEASE help I beg you.

 

[reb0118]

Just pay the demand notice. If you pay then that is the matter closed.

However.......

............if you fanny about they will find you. Your address is known to the authorities and it won't be hard for them to work out what has happened. Giving a false name was very silly as you have compounded a basic fare evasion charge into a potential fraud charge.

So, pay up & the matter will disappear. (Maybe?)

Other forum members may be along shortly to give you chapter & verse on where you went wrong.


Just noticed that you have not received a demand notice but a request for you to give your side of the story about the matter in question. You would be advised to respond clearly and concisely, but most importantly truthfully, about the scenario. I'll say it again - stick to the facts and don't waffle.

Offer your sincere apologies and state that you now understand the seriousness of the situation and that you have learnt your lesson. You can ask if they will be willing to accept "an out of court settlement" in lieu of prosecution.

 

[Hextra]

Just pay the demand notice. If you pay then that is the matter closed.

However.......

............if you fanny about they will find you. Your address is known to the authorities and it won't be hard for them to work out what has happened. Giving a false name was very silly as you have compounded a basic fare evasion charge into a potential fraud charge.

So, pay up & the matter will disappear. (Maybe?)

Other forum members may be along shortly to give you chapter & verse on where you went wrong.


Just noticed that you have not received a demand notice but a request for you to give your side of the story about the matter in question. You would be advised to respond clearly and concisely, but most importantly truthfully, about the scenario. I'll say it again - stick to the facts and don't waffle.

Offer your sincere apologies and state that you now understand the seriousness of the situation and that you have learnt your lesson. You can ask if they will be willing to accept "an out of court settlement" in lieu of prosecution.

thanks for reply so should I tell them about the fake name? after I reply what would happen next if they dont want to go to court?

 

[Deerfold]

thanks for reply so should I tell them about the fake name? after I reply what would happen next if they dont want to go to court?

It's hard to give you advice as you seem to have deleted all the details of what has happened.

 

[theblackwatch]

I have reinstated it. Maybe you should reply with a quote...

 

[D2022]

Talk about between a rock and a hard place lol.

If you admit you gave a fake name they could do you for fraud.

But to try and keep it out of court you would need to admit your guilt and offer them some money to settle.

 

[LateThanNever]

thanks for reply so should I tell them about the fake name? after I reply what would happen next if they dont want to go to court?

Think all you can do is suggest that in this unaccustomed situation you panicked, apologise unreservedly, say you are sure they will be able to suggest a settlement figure to keep the matter out of court and sign the letter illegibly to avoid admitting you gave a false name.
When it comes to paying I'd suggest paying by postal order as the only anonymous way I can think of.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Actually, providing a false name or address is a specific Criminal Offence in Railway Law. It's in the Regulation of Railways Act S.5.3.(c) "If any person . . . Having failed to pay his fare, gives in reply to a request by an officer of a railway company a false name or address, . . . . he shall be liable on summary conviction".

Doing that has made things worse for you than simply not having paid for a ticket. However, even if it does go to Court, the fine would be closer to £200 - £300 for a first conviction, and not the maximum of £1000.

But I agree that if you reply promptly and appropriately, then the Company might just accept a settlement to avoid the additional time and costs of taking the matter to Court. (I am surprised at the suggestion that the Company might be inclined to accept an anonymous settlement).

 

[Hextra]

thank you for all your replies it really helped, i no longer seek help thank you

 

[Hextra]

Talk about between a rock and a hard place lol.

If you admit you gave a fake name they could do you for fraud.

But to try and keep it out of court you would need to admit your guilt and offer them some money to settle.

what should i say then (about the money bit)

 

[DaveNewcastle]

If you are asking for assistance in writing your explanation, then I will only do so in the most general terms:

Be truthful.
Don't avoid the point, which is the simple fact that you travelled without having paid your fare - and which presumably is still unpaid.
Express your true feelings in response.
Explain what, if anything, you have learned from this experience, in so far as it relates to rail travel.
If you feel inclined to accept that the Company incurs a loss of tens of thousands of pounds every day through fare evasion and that you accept that attempting to detect and respond to this challenge is enormously expensive, then you might want to say so and that youi would want to contribute towards the cost you have incurred.​

But you might have other points of view to express in your letter. As someone who doesn't give their true name and address when asked, perhaps you do have other points of view to use in your reply.

 

[DownSouth]

Why are people trying to help this person evade justice? Shouldn't you lot be forwarding a link to this thread on to Northern Rail so they have the evidence needed to take it to court or increase their settlement demand so that it might actually serve as a deterrent?

 

[Deerfold]

Why are people trying to help this person evade justice? Shouldn't you lot be forwarding a link to this thread on to Northern Rail so they have the evidence needed to take it to court or increase their settlement demand so that it might actually serve as a deterrent?

And if that happened would anyone ever ask for advice again?

 

[Greenback]

Why are people trying to help this person evade justice? Shouldn't you lot be forwarding a link to this thread on to Northern Rail so they have the evidence needed to take it to court or increase their settlement demand so that it might actually serve as a deterrent?

I'm not sure who you think is helping the OP to evade justice? If you have concerns about any post please use the report button to bring it to the attention of forum staff.

However, as far as I can see the replies are pretty consistent, though with different ways of saying pretty much the same thing.

 

[Ally7118]

Why are people trying to help this person evade justice? Shouldn't you lot be forwarding a link to this thread on to Northern Rail so they have the evidence needed to take it to court or increase their settlement demand so that it might actually serve as a deterrent?

The whole point of online forums like this is to allow objective and nonjudgemental advice to people who need it. Otherwise people wouldn't use them. It's the job of prosecutors to prosecute and theirs alone.